According to a forecast from the consultancy MarketsandMarkets, the market size of the global digital oilfield industry is forecast to reach $32 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6 percent from the $24.3 billion recorded last year.

Eager to reap the benefits, Daqing Oilfield Co is expanding its internet of things system, which has already connected more than 38,500 oil and water wells. In three to four years, the system is expected to cover all the company's 120,000 wells, with more than a million data-collecting devices in use.

The widespread use of digital technologies to boost production efficiency also helps the oil industry deal with the challenge of talent supply and demand as oil companies push to expand production capacity amid falling employee numbers.

Wu, the general manager, said: "More than 150 people in our operational area will retire over the next five years. The efficient use of digital technologies has made it possible for us to deal with such changes and guarantee lean management without the need to recruit more people."

Digital transformation provides employees working in tough conditions with a more comfortable environment and also meets employees' expectations for a better life.

As a result, Shi, whose team has been freed from tedious patrol tasks in harsh conditions, now has more time for learning and training to improve his professional skills.

"Although I am 57, I still want to learn new things, just as the company does." Shi said.

Zhou Huiying contributed to this story.