I. Historical Evolution
The Carbon Neutrality Future Technology Research Institute of Xi’an Shiyou University (hereinafter referred to as “the Institute”) was established on March 25, 2024, as a new-style research institute with physical operations jointly founded by the university and domestic petroleum enterprises. Aligned with China’s “dual-carbon” strategic imperatives and committed to facilitating Shaanxi Province’s energy economic transformation and green low-carbon development, the Institute serves as an integrated platform for scientific research and education, integrating “cutting-edge technology innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, composite talent cultivation, and industrial service transformation”.
Key developmental milestones: In 2005, the university initiated CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) research, laying the foundation for carbon neutrality studies; in 2024, the Institute was established, accompanied by the inaugural High-Level Forum on Carbon Neutrality Future Technology, which convened numerous academicians and industry experts.
II. Disciplinary Construction
Against the backdrop of the “dual-carbon” goals, the Institute leverages national and provincial key laboratories, including the Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center for Development and Management of Low/Extra-Low Permeability Oil Reservoirs in Western China and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Special Stimulation Technologies for Oil & Gas Fields. Building on the university’s disciplinary strengths in petroleum geology, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, etc., the Institute specializes in: efficient CO₂ capture processes and conversion technologies, theories and sealing technologies for CO₂ injection in oil/gas reservoir stimulation, and "dual-carbon" policy research and corporate strategic planning.
By integrating internal resources and aggregating external expertise, the Institute mobilizes cross-disciplinary research forces to advance the interdisciplinary field of carbon storage science and engineering. Its mission is to cultivate composite talents with interdisciplinary perspectives, driving the low-carbon transformation of the energy sector.
III. Faculty Team
The Institute boasts a high-caliber faculty team comprising 47 full-time and dual-appointed members, including 21 professors and 24 associate professors, with 93.75% holding doctoral degrees. Anchored by major projects such as national strategic scientific and technological initiatives, the team forms an innovative research network: led by national and provincial-level talents, supported by professors and doctors as academic cores, and composed primarily of outstanding young and middle-aged researchers.
IV. Scientific Research
Since its establishment, the Institute has been making efforts to integrate national and provincial-level laboratories of the university, deepen university-enterprise collaboration, undertaking sub-projects under the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ pioneering sci-tech initiatives, and co-establishing the Xi'an Shiyou University- Xixian Energy Geothermal and Energy Storage Engineering Technology Application Base along with Shaanxi Xixian New Area Energy Group Co., Ltd. Concurrently, the Institute’s research teams provide critical technological support for energy enterprises including CNPC Changqing Oilfield and Yanchang Petroleum.
V. Talent Development
The Institute collaborates with the School of Petroleum Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and School of Materials Science and Engineering to cultivate postgraduates in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Power Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and related fields. In 2025, the first cohort of 24 postgraduate students are enrolled. Currently, The Institute is actively consolidating resources to advance the interdisciplinary development and talent cultivation in Carbon Storage Science and Engineering.
Guided by the national dual-carbon strategy and faithfully upholds a trinity educational philosophy integrating “science-education fusion, industry-education fusion, and university-enterprise synergy”, the Institute stays committed to resolving key technological challenges in the energy industry’s low-carbon transition. This framework builds a high-level talent development system characterized by interdisciplinary excellence, practice empowerment, and global vision, dedicated to cultivating composite talents with both innovative capabilities and engineering proficiency for the energy, chemical, and environmental sectors.
