Reservoir Geology: From Technological Breakthroughs to Cross-Domain Implementations
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 2302
Special Issue Editors
Interests: efficient exploration and in-situ conversion technologies for unconventional oil and gas resources, deep drilling technology and equipment
Interests: unconventional oil and gas geology; fine-grained sedimentology; stratigraphy; sedimentary geochemistry
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue aims to explore frontier progress and integrative methodologies in reservoir geology, with a particular emphasis on unconventional resources such as oil shale, shale oil and gas, hydrate, tar-rich coal, coalbed methane, and the characteristics of deep high-temperature, high-pressure reservoirs. As energy exploration and development advance into unconventional resources, deep strata, and deepwater environments, these resources play an increasingly critical role in the global energy landscape, yet their complex geological nature and unique extraction challenges require innovative technological solutions and cross-disciplinary synergies.
We invite contributions that address fundamental and applied aspects of reservoir geology, including, but not limited to, novel in situ conversion technologies for unconventional hydrocarbons, advanced characterization techniques for reservoir properties, fine description of trapped hydrocarbons, novel reservoir modification techniques, new generations of enhanced recovery as well as green and efficient exploitation techniques, deep rock mechanics, rock-breaking mechanisms under high temperature and pressure, and artificial intelligence applications in unconventional and deep oil and gas reservoirs. Studies that integrate geoscience, engineering, data science, and economics to enable efficient and sustainable development of unconventional reservoirs are especially encouraged.
This Special Issue seeks to bridge traditional disciplinary boundaries and foster dialogue among geoscientists, engineers, and policymakers. We welcome original research, reviews, and case studies that demonstrate how technological breakthroughs can be effectively translated into cross-domain implementations, ultimately contributing to a smarter and greener energy future.
Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- New in situ conversion technology;
- High-resolution reservoir characterization;
- Eco-friendly extraction and utilization techniques;
- Integration of geology, geochemistry, engineering, and digital technologies;
- Fine description of trapped hydrocarbons;
- Reservoir geochemistry;
- Novel reservoir modification techniques;
- New generation of enhanced recovery;
- Deep reservoir rock mechanics;
- Rock-breaking mechanisms in deep reservoirs;
- New equipment and technologies for deep reservoirs;
- AI and machine learning in predictive modeling;
- Applications of artificial intelligence in geo-energy.
Dr. Shaotao Xu
Dr. Yifan Li
Dr. Xiong Cheng
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- unconventional resources
- deep reservoirs
- in situ conversion technology
- reservoir geochemistry
- reservoir characterization
- reservoir modification
- artificial intelligence
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