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Exploration and Development of Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources: Latest Advances and Prospects: 3rd Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2025 | Viewed by 290

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
General Prospecting Institute of China National Administration of Coal Geology, Beijing, China
Interests: coalbed methane geology; coal body structure; hydrogeochemistry; favorable area optimization; well site deployment; in-situ stress; reservoir stimulation technology; dynamic permeability
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fossil fuels are important to both the global and Chinese economies, and “unconventional” oil and gas resources—resources that cannot be produced, transported, or refined using traditional techniques—are expected to play a larger role in helping the U.S. and China meet future energy needs. With rising energy prices, unconventional oil and gas resources have received renewed domestic attention in recent years. The efficient exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas needs the support of a series of geological and engineering studies, including those focused on exploration, evaluation, drilling, completion, and production. The aim of this Special Issue is to introduce the latest progress in unconventional oil and gas geology and engineering, especially for reservoir evaluation, geological enrichment factors, enrichment model, permeability integrated evaluation, and mechanism analysis.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Energies.

Prof. Dr. Shu Tao
Dr. Wei Ju
Dr. Shida Chen
Dr. Zhengguang Zhang
Dr. Jiang Han
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • unconventional oil and gas
  • exploration and development
  • reservoir evaluation
  • seepage mechanism
  • hydrocarbon enrichment model
  • reservoir petrophysics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 890 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Seepage Failure and Fluidization Mechanisms in Gas-Containing Tectonic Coal Outbursts
by Yan Xie, Feng Bi and Deyi Gao
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(16), 9117; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169117 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 143
Abstract
This study investigates the mechanisms of gas-containing tectonic coal outbursts by modeling tectonic coal and gas as analogous to soil and pore water. Analytical methods from soil mechanics, specifically those related to quicksand and seismic liquefaction, are employed to classify these outbursts into [...] Read more.
This study investigates the mechanisms of gas-containing tectonic coal outbursts by modeling tectonic coal and gas as analogous to soil and pore water. Analytical methods from soil mechanics, specifically those related to quicksand and seismic liquefaction, are employed to classify these outbursts into two types: “quicksand type” and “fluidization type.” Their formation mechanisms are elucidated based on a fracture network model and a one-dimensional seepage failure criterion developed for tectonic coal. The findings indicate that “quicksand type” outbursts result from the continuous detachment of tectonic coal slices within the pressure relief zone under gas seepage pressure. The thickness-to-radius ratio of these coal slices increases with rising gas pressure but decreases with increasing coal strength and normal geostress. A larger thickness-to-radius ratio signifies a more pronounced granular characteristic and accelerates the development of coal and gas outbursts. “Fluidization type” outbursts occur when the effective stress drops to zero, resulting in a complete loss of coal strength. These outbursts represent a specific case of “quicksand type” outbursts and can be triggered by vibrations. The susceptibility of tectonic coal to outbursts is attributed to its low mechanical strength and the presence of dense fractures, which increase the acting area of seepage pressure and, consequently, raise the overall seepage force. According to this analysis, the depth of outburst cavities is generally less than the width of the pressure relief zone, which can result in delayed outbursts. This study enhances the understanding of quicksand and seismic liquefaction theories in soil mechanics and provides valuable guidance for predicting and mitigating coal and gas outbursts. Full article
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