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Energies
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Advances in Unconventional Reservoirs and Enhanced Oil Recovery
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Advances in Unconventional Reservoirs and Enhanced Oil Recovery

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "H: Geo-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2025) | Viewed by 1641

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Saipeng Huang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Interests: shale gas and oil; CBM; FEM; nature fracture propagation; CCUS; hydraulic fracturing; in situ stress evaluation in deep reservoirs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jun Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of New Energy and Low-Carbon Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: CO2-enhanced shale gas extraction and geological storage (CCUS); the interaction and dynamic geological effects of gas–water multiphase media (microscopic) in shale reservoir; heterogeneous distribution of shale gas reservoir characteristics and geological control mechanism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ang Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China
Interests: unconventional oil and gas geology; oil region structural analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Background and Aims:

The global energy landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for sustainable and efficient energy solutions. Unconventional reservoirs, such as shale gas and oil, tight oil, and deep coalbed methane (DCBM), have emerged as pivotal sources of hydrocarbons due to their significant reserves and potential to meet growing energy demands. However, extracting these resources requires advanced technologies and innovative approaches.

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques are crucial for maximizing the recovery of hydrocarbons from both conventional and unconventional reservoirs. Technologies like Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), hydraulic fracturing for deep reservoirs, and various EOR methods, including CO2-EOR, chemical EOR, thermal EOR, nanotechnology in EOR, and microbial EOR, are at the forefront of this evolution.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative solutions related to unconventional reservoirs and EOR techniques. It will provide a comprehensive platform for discussing the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions in these areas.

Potential Topics for Authors:

CCUS: research on carbon capture, transportation, utilization, and storage technologies that can mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuel extraction and use.

Unconventional Reservoirs: Studies on shale gas and oil, tight oil, DCBM, and other unconventional resources. Topics may include reservoir characterization, drilling and completion technologies, and production optimization.

Hydraulic Fracturing Technology for Deep Reservoirs: investigations into advanced hydraulic fracturing techniques, including fracture design, fluid selection, and well performance optimization in deep and complex reservoir environments.

Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques: research on various EOR methods, such as the following:

CO2-EOR: studies on the use of carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery, including injection strategies, fluid–rock interactions, and environmental considerations.

Chemical EOR: exploration of chemical agents and surfactants that can improve oil mobility and recovery.

Thermal EOR: research on thermal methods, such as steam injection and in situ combustion, for enhancing oil production.

Nanotechnology in EOR: investigations into the application of nanomaterials and nanotechnology for improving oil recovery processes.

Microbial EOR: studies on the use of microorganisms and their metabolites to enhance oil recovery, including bio-augmentation and bio-stimulation techniques.

By bringing together experts from various disciplines, this Special Issue will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and technology in unconventional reservoir development and EOR techniques, ultimately leading to more sustainable and efficient energy solutions.

Call for Papers:

We invite authors to submit their original research papers on the above-mentioned topics. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure their scientific quality and relevance to the Special Issue. Please visit the journal's website for more information on submission guidelines and deadlines. We look forward to receiving your contributions to this exciting Special Issue on Advances in Unconventional Reservoirs and Enhanced Oil Recovery.

Dr. Saipeng Huang
Dr. Jun Liu
Dr. Ang Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 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

  • CCUS
  • unconventional reservoirs
  • hydraulic fracturing technology for deep reservoirs
  • enhanced oil recovery techniques

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 10962 KiB  
Article
Integrated 3D Geological Modeling, Stress Field Modeling, and Production Simulation for CBM Development Optimization in Zhengzhuang Block, Southern Qinshui Basin
by Zhong Liu, Hui Wang, Xiuqin Lu, Qianqian Zhang, Yanhui Yang, Tao Zhang, Chen Zhang and Zihan Wang
Energies 2025, 18(10), 2617; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18102617 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 285
Abstract
The Zhengzhuang Block in the Qinshui Basin is one of the important coalbed methane (CBM) development areas in China. As high-quality CBM resources become depleted, remaining reserves exhibit complex geological characteristics requiring advanced development strategies. In this study, a multidisciplinary workflow integrating 3D [...] Read more.
The Zhengzhuang Block in the Qinshui Basin is one of the important coalbed methane (CBM) development areas in China. As high-quality CBM resources become depleted, remaining reserves exhibit complex geological characteristics requiring advanced development strategies. In this study, a multidisciplinary workflow integrating 3D geological modeling (94.85 km2 seismic data, 973 wells), geomechanical stress analysis, and production simulation was developed to optimize development of the Permian No. 3 coal seam. Structural architecture and reservoir heterogeneity were characterized through Petrel-based modeling, while finite-element analysis identified stress anisotropy with favorable stimulation zones concentrated in southwestern sectors. Computer Modeling Group (CMG) simulations of a 27-well group revealed a rapid initial pressure decline followed by a stabilization phase. A weighted multi-criteria evaluation framework classified resources into three tiers: type I (southwestern sector: 28–33.5 m3/t residual gas content, 0.8–1.0 mD permeability, 8–12% porosity), type II (northern/central: 20–26 m3/t residual gas content, 0.5–0.6 mD permeability, 5–8% porosity), and type III (<20 m3/t residual gas content, <0.4 mD permeability, <4% porosity). The integrated methodology provides a technical foundation for optimizing well patterns, enhancing hydraulic fracturing efficacy, and improving residual gas recovery in heterogeneous CBM reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Unconventional Reservoirs and Enhanced Oil Recovery)
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33 pages, 7220 KiB  
Article
Surfactant–Polymer Formulation for Chemical Flooding in Oil Reservoirs
by Dmitriy Podoprigora, Mikhail Rogachev and Roman Byazrov
Energies 2025, 18(7), 1814; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071814 - 3 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 381
Abstract
A significant part of oil fields has reached a late stage of development, where technologies aimed at increasing the oil recovery factor are becoming particularly relevant. One such technology is surfactant–polymer flooding. To implement this technology, it is necessary to select a chemical [...] Read more.
A significant part of oil fields has reached a late stage of development, where technologies aimed at increasing the oil recovery factor are becoming particularly relevant. One such technology is surfactant–polymer flooding. To implement this technology, it is necessary to select a chemical formulation that retains its properties under reservoir conditions and enhances the efficiency of water flooding. This work presents a laboratory evaluation of various polymer and surfactant samples to develop an effective chemical formulation. The results demonstrate that anionic surfactants based on sodium laureth sulphate and betaine significantly reduce interfacial tension at the oil–water interface of the target reservoir. Furthermore, when combined with a partially hydrolysed polymer, the sodium laureth sulphate-based surfactant increases the capillary number by 4500 times (reducing interfacial tension from 32.77 mN/m to 0.065 mN/m and increasing the viscosity of the injected agent from 0.5 mPa·s to 4.36 mPa·s). Based on core flooding studies, it can be concluded that the proposed surfactant–polymer composition increases the oil displacement factor from the core sample by 0.15–0.24, depending on the injection volume. The selected formulation can be recommended for application in water flooding at the target reservoir. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Unconventional Reservoirs and Enhanced Oil Recovery)
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Review

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20 pages, 8410 KiB  
Review
CO2-ECBM from a Full-Chain Perspective: Mechanism Elucidation, Demonstration Practices, and Future Outlook
by Yinan Cui, Chao Li, Yuchen Tian, Bin Miao, Yanzhi Liu, Zekun Yue, Xuguang Dai, Jinghui Zhao, Hequn Gao, Hui Li, Yaozu Zhang, Guangrong Zhang, Bei Zhang, Shiqi Liu and Sijian Zheng
Energies 2025, 18(11), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112841 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 194
Abstract
CO2-enhanced coalbed methane recovery (CO2-ECBM) represents a promising pathway within carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, offering dual benefits of methane production and long-term CO2 sequestration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CO2-ECBM from [...] Read more.
CO2-enhanced coalbed methane recovery (CO2-ECBM) represents a promising pathway within carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, offering dual benefits of methane production and long-term CO2 sequestration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CO2-ECBM from a full-chain perspective (Mechanism, Practices, and Outlook), covering fundamental mechanisms and key engineering practices. It highlights the complex multi-physics processes involved, including competitive adsorption–desorption, diffusion and seepage, thermal effects, stress responses, and geochemical interactions. Recent progress in laboratory experiments, capacity assessments, site evaluations, monitoring techniques, and numerical simulations are systematically reviewed. Field studies indicate that CO2-ECBM performance is strongly influenced by reservoir pressure, temperature, injection rate, and coal seam properties. Structural conditions and multi-field coupling further affect storage efficiency and long-term security. This work also addresses major technical challenges such as real-time monitoring limitations, environmental risks, injection-induced seismicity, and economic constraints. Future research directions emphasize the need to deepen understanding of coupling mechanisms, improve monitoring frameworks, and advance integrated engineering optimization. By synthesizing recent advances and identifying research priorities, this review aims to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the scalable deployment of CO2-ECBM, contributing to global energy transition and carbon neutrality goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Unconventional Reservoirs and Enhanced Oil Recovery)
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31 pages, 14407 KiB  
Review
Research on the Application of Biochar in Carbon Sequestration: A Bibliometric Analysis
by Shizhao Zhang, Shuzhi Wang, Jiayong Zhang, Bao Wang, Hui Wang, Liwei Liu, Chong Cao, Muyang Shi and Yuhan Liu
Energies 2025, 18(11), 2745; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112745 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Driven by global carbon neutrality goals, biochar has gained significant attention due to its stable carbon sequestration capabilities and environmental benefits. This research employs bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer 1.6.16, Citespace 6.2 R6, and Scimago Graphica to systematically analyze 2076 publications from the [...] Read more.
Driven by global carbon neutrality goals, biochar has gained significant attention due to its stable carbon sequestration capabilities and environmental benefits. This research employs bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer 1.6.16, Citespace 6.2 R6, and Scimago Graphica to systematically analyze 2076 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection between 2007 and 2024, aiming to clarify the evolutionary trajectory, research hotspots, and international collaboration patterns of biochar carbon sequestration research while identifying future knowledge gaps for innovation. Research results reveal a three-stage developmental characteristic: 2007–2014 was a slow accumulation period for fundamental mechanism exploration, 2015–2020 was an accelerated expansion period driven by policies like the Paris Agreement, and 2021 to the present marks an exponential growth phase of interdisciplinary integration due to global carbon market consolidation. China and the United States are core producing countries, though inter-institutional deep collaboration remains insufficient. Research hotspots have progressively shifted from early biochar preparation and carbon stability to multiple waste materials (such as rice straw and urban carbon sequestration waste) and co-pyrolysis technologies (significantly emerging since 2022), with machine learning applications in process optimization becoming a nascent direction. The study recommends increasing cross-disciplinary research funding, establishing biochar raw material pollution standards, and promoting coordinated policies that combine biochar carbon sequestration with agricultural efficiency to support global carbon reduction objectives. Notably, the research’s reliance on the Web of Science Core Collection may limit coverage of non-English literature and regional studies. By quantitatively analyzing technological evolution and collaboration networks, this study provides a data-driven framework for optimizing biochar carbon sequestration strategies, helping bridge the gap between laboratory potential and actual climate emission reduction, and offering focused action pathways for policymakers and researchers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Unconventional Reservoirs and Enhanced Oil Recovery)
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