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Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd...
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Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3574

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yong Li

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Guest Editor
College of Geosciences and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, China
Interests: coal and coalbed methane; unconventional natural gas/oil resources; sedimentology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yingfang Zhou

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Guest Editor
School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
Interests: digital rock physics; CO2 geological storage and utilization; multiscale porous material characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhenhua Jing

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Guest Editor
Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: shale oil and gas; coal geology; geochemistry
Dr. Junjian Wang

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Guest Editor
ATC Williams Pty, Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4051, Australia
Interests: coalbed methane; geofluid flow modelling; environmental risk assessment; geomaterial characterization and reconstruction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Clays and clay-based materials serve as reservoirs and caprocks for energy resources, storage and waste stream sequestration. The mineralogical, petrophysical and geomechanical characteristics are the information required for understanding unconventional origins, accumulation and evolution in different geological settings. This information also provides a foundation for the accurate modeling of subsurface energy engineering applications. The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a cutting-edge insight to the multiscale mineralogical, petrophysical and geomechanical properties of shales or mudrocks, during coupled thermal, hydrologic, mechanical, chemical or biological processes in natural or anthrogenic activities.

We seek original research that explores the storage potential and evolution of material properties of shale or mudrocks during hydrogen injection, energy-waste containment and sequestration, gas hydrate formation, and geothermal infiltration. Submitted studies are expected to highlight the potential of shale and other clay-based materials to store and transport these fluids under in situ or in-house laboratory conditions. Work that explores the role of mineral distribution within shales in determining material response to CO2, H2, and other fluids of interest are encouraged.

Dr. Yong Li
Dr. Yingfang Zhou
Dr. Zhenhua Jing
Dr. Junjian Wang
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. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 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

  • reservoir characterization
  • caprock integrity
  • mineralogical control
  • petrophysical properties
  • hydromechanical coupling
  • shale gas
  • gas hydrate
  • hydrogen storage
  • CO2 sequestration

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 20418 KiB  
Article
Differential Evolution and Main Controlling Factors of Inner-Platform Carbonate Reservoirs in Restricted–Evaporative Environment: A Case Study of O2m56 in the Ordos Basin, North China
by Mengying Yang, Xiucheng Tan, Zhaolei Fei, Zixing Lu, Wancai Nie, Ying Xiong, Di Xiao, Jie Xu, Shoukang Zhong and Jingkang Yong
Minerals 2025, 15(3), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15030236 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 374
Abstract
The potential for oil and gas exploration within inter-salt reservoirs is substantial, primarily due to their significant heterogeneity, which complicates accurate predictions. This study focuses on the inter-salt reservoirs of the sixth sub-member of the fifth member of the Majiagou Formation (hereafter referred [...] Read more.
The potential for oil and gas exploration within inter-salt reservoirs is substantial, primarily due to their significant heterogeneity, which complicates accurate predictions. This study focuses on the inter-salt reservoirs of the sixth sub-member of the fifth member of the Majiagou Formation (hereafter referred to as O2m56) in the Ordos Basin, North China. Utilizing core samples, thin sections, and petrophysical data, we investigated the differential evolution and primary controlling factors of the inter-salt carbonate reservoirs. The key findings are as follows: (1) During the sedimentary phase of O2m56, high-energy sediments, such as shoals and microbial mounds, were deposited in highlands, while low-energy sediments, including dolomitic lagoons and gypsiferous lagoons, emerged in depressions from west to east. (2) In a restricted–evaporative environment, highlands are prone to karstification, which significantly enhances the development of inter-salt reservoirs and generates a variety of reservoir spaces, including interparticle dissolved pores, growth-framework dissolved pores, and micropores between vadose silts. (3) The presence of alternating highlands and depressions obstructs seawater flow, leading to a progressive increase in salinity from west to east. This process ultimately facilitates the infilling of reservoir spaces with calcite, anhydrite, and halite cements in the same direction. (4) The three components—reservoir rocks, karstification, and infilling features—exert varying effects in the region and collectively govern the north–south distribution of inter-salt reservoirs. Overall, this study examines the characteristics and controlling factors of carbonate reservoirs within a restricted–evaporative platform environment and provides pertinent research cases for the exploration of inter-salt reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 5493 KiB  
Article
An Experimental Study of Dolostone Recrystallization Under Fluid Overpressure and Its Implication for Reservoir Property Improvement
by Senran Chen, Xinshe Liu, Rong Wang, Liubin Wei, Bo Liu and Hongping Bao
Minerals 2025, 15(3), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15030230 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Recrystallization is an important diagenetic process that widely occurs in carbonate rocks as a result of increasing temperature and pressure during burial. Exploration has revealed that carbonate rocks affected by recrystallization vary in their reservoir properties. To investigate the favorable development conditions of [...] Read more.
Recrystallization is an important diagenetic process that widely occurs in carbonate rocks as a result of increasing temperature and pressure during burial. Exploration has revealed that carbonate rocks affected by recrystallization vary in their reservoir properties. To investigate the favorable development conditions of recrystallized carbonate reservoirs, we selected the crystalline dolomite reservoir of the Majiagou Formation in the Ordos Basin as the object for experimental simulation and conducted a series of dolostone recrystallization simulation experiments under various fluid pressures at 120 °C with an axial load of 55 MPa. The fluid overpressure experiments showed extensive recrystallization growth of crystals with uniform grain size and a high degree of euhedral development, and they retained the optimal porosity and pore connectivity. However, the hydrostatic pressure group had a lower degree of recrystallization and inferior physical properties compared to the overpressure group. The results indicate that fluid overpressure is a key preservation condition for deep recrystallized carbonate reservoirs. Fluid overpressure effectively preserves the initial porosity and facilitates the euhedral growth of dolostone crystals, thereby enhancing pore connectivity. Furthermore, the Kozeny–Carman equation was employed to verify that recrystallization of dolostone under fluid overpressure significantly enhances reservoir permeability by adjusting the pore structure, specifically the pore tortuosity and the pore–throat ratio. Our study demonstrates that fluid overpressure is an important prerequisite for the development of deep recrystallized carbonate reservoirs. The search for carbonate formation units with overpressure conditions such as the presence of dense layer capping may be a new direction for deep carbonate oil and gas exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 9191 KiB  
Article
Identification and Application of Favorable Lithofacies Associations in the Transitional Facies of the Permian Longtan Formation in Central and Southern Sichuan Basin
by Longyi Wang, Xizhe Li, Ya’na Chen, Wei Guo, Xiangyang Pei, Chao Luo, Chong Tian, Jingyuan Zhang, Nijun Qi, Weikang He, Wenxuan Yu and Hongming Zhan
Minerals 2025, 15(3), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15030198 - 20 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 420
Abstract
The transitional shale system of the Longtan Formation (LTF) is widely distributed in the Sichuan Basin. However, the lithofacies of the LTF shale system exhibit vertical variations, with frequent interbedding of blocks, and shale–sand–coal sequences, which makes identifying “sweet spots” a challenging task. [...] Read more.
The transitional shale system of the Longtan Formation (LTF) is widely distributed in the Sichuan Basin. However, the lithofacies of the LTF shale system exhibit vertical variations, with frequent interbedding of blocks, and shale–sand–coal sequences, which makes identifying “sweet spots” a challenging task. To address this issue, lithofacies associations were investigated based on well log analysis from 30 wells, and experimental data from 19 well samples, including X-ray diffraction, total organic carbon (TOC), pore structure characterization, and methane isothermal adsorption tests. Four lithofacies associations were classified: carbon–shale interbedding (I-1), shale(carbon)–coal interbedding (I-2), shale–sand interbedding (II), and shale–sand–coal assemblage (III). A favorable lithofacies association index (Com) was developed, providing a quantitative method for identifying favorable lithofacies. The results indicate that among the four lithofacies associations, I-2 is the most favorable lithofacies association. The Com index threshold for favorable lithofacies is defined as 0.6, and for the most favorable lithofacies, it is 0.7. Overall, favorable lithofacies are primarily distributed in the Suining-Dazu and Lujiao areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd Edition)
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33 pages, 8053 KiB  
Article
Geochemical and Mineralogical Insights into Organic Matter Preservation in the Gondwana and Post-Gondwana Shale of the Lesser Himalayas, Nepal
by Kumar Khadka, Shuxun Sang, Sijie Han, Junjie He, Upendra Baral, Saunak Bhandari and Debashish Mondal
Minerals 2025, 15(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15010063 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 744
Abstract
The depositional environments, weathering and provenance, organic matter enrichment, and preservation in the Gondwana and post-Gondwana units of the Lesser Himalayas, Nepal, are studied through geochemical and mineralogical analyses using petrography, X-ray diffraction, XRF, and ICP-MS. Mineralogical findings indicate that shales comprise 55% [...] Read more.
The depositional environments, weathering and provenance, organic matter enrichment, and preservation in the Gondwana and post-Gondwana units of the Lesser Himalayas, Nepal, are studied through geochemical and mineralogical analyses using petrography, X-ray diffraction, XRF, and ICP-MS. Mineralogical findings indicate that shales comprise 55% to 72% clay, 25% to 55% quartz, and less than 10% carbonate minerals, with a significant presence of illite, suggesting a transition from fluvial to shallow marine environments during post-Gondwana deposition. The thin sections of the post-Gondwana sandstone reveal an increase in quartz, feldspar, and plagioclase content, with rounded to sub-angular quartz grains indicating moderate transportation before lithification, resulting from the Indo-Asian collision. Geochemical data, including major, trace, and rare earth elements (REE), along with bivariate discrimination diagrams, reveal distinct environmental changes; Gondwana sediments exhibit oxic, arid conditions with continental provenance, while post-Gondwana deposits indicate humid environments favorable for organic matter enrichment, primarily sourced from felsic-intermediate igneous rocks. The TOC is less than 1 wt.% in the Gondwana and is 0.75 to 2 wt.% in the post-Gondwana shale, indicating better organic matter preservation. The existing geological structural data and the research findings highlight the pivotal role of Himalayan tectonism in enhancing the thermal maturity and hydrocarbon generation potential of organic-rich post-Gondwana shales, attributed to their substantial organic matter content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 5654 KiB  
Article
A Rock Physics Modeling Method for Metamorphic Rock Reservoirs in Buried Hill
by Hongjian Hao, Guangzhi Zhang and You Zhou
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090892 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1067
Abstract
The buried hills of the Archean metamorphic rocks in the Bozhong Depression of the Bohai Bay Basin are the main gas-bearing strata, with burial depths ranging from 4000 m to 5500 m. However, metamorphic rocks have internal structural characteristics, such as diverse mineral [...] Read more.
The buried hills of the Archean metamorphic rocks in the Bozhong Depression of the Bohai Bay Basin are the main gas-bearing strata, with burial depths ranging from 4000 m to 5500 m. However, metamorphic rocks have internal structural characteristics, such as diverse mineral components, oriented arrangement of mineral particles, complex pore connectivity, variable crystal structures, orthogonal development of multiple sets of fractures, and uneven fluid filling. Compared with conventional reservoirs, they have obvious heterogeneity and anisotropy characteristics. Traditional rock physics modeling methods are no longer suitable for predicting the elastic and anisotropic parameters of metamorphic reservoirs. Therefore, we introduced a vector mixed random medium model to calculate the effect of the oriented arrangement of metamorphic rock minerals on the modulus of the rock matrix and introduced a metamorphic factor to describe the impact of metamorphic recrystallization and alteration metasomatism on the elastic modulus of the rock matrix. Practical applications have shown that the new, improved rock physics modeling method can better estimate the S-wave velocity and anisotropy parameters in wells compared to traditional rock physics modeling methods, providing a reliable basis for predicting fractured reservoirs in metamorphic rock at buried hills. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical, Petrophysical and Hydromechanical Properties of Reservoirs and Caprocks, 2nd Edition)
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