Geology–Engineering Integration: Hydrocarbon Enrichment Mechanisms and Efficient Development Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Oil and gas resources remain the cornerstone of the global energy mix, accounting for over 50% of primary energy consumption worldwide. As conventional hydrocarbon resources continue to deplete gradually, the focus of petroleum exploration and development has shifted toward complex reservoirs, including deep and ultra-deep formations, unconventional reservoirs (e.g., shale oil and gas, tight oil and gas, and coalbed methane), and deepwater offshore reservoirs. These reservoirs are characterized by highly heterogeneous geological conditions, complex fluid distribution, and significant technical challenges in development. The traditional siloed research approach, where geological studies and engineering practices are conducted independently, has become increasingly insufficient to address the multifaceted challenges of efficient and economical hydrocarbon recovery.

Geology–engineering integration has emerged as a revolutionary paradigm in the petroleum industry over the past decade. It breaks down the disciplinary barriers between geology and engineering, forming a closed-loop workflow encompassing fine-scale geological characterization, high-precision reservoir modeling, optimized development scheme design, real-time reservoir dynamic monitoring, and adaptive adjustment of production strategies. By integrating geological understanding with engineering technologies, this approach enables the precise prediction of hydrocarbon distribution, the optimization of well placement and completion parameters, and the maximization of reservoir sweep efficiency, thereby significantly improving the overall development effectiveness and economic benefits of complex oil and gas fields.

This Special Issue aims to compile advances in both fundamental research and engineering applications in the field of oil and gas exploration and development. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive review papers, and short communications that address the latest theoretical breakthroughs, technological innovations, and field practices related to geology–engineering integration. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation mechanisms, and enrichment patterns in conventional and unconventional reservoirs.
• Geological characterization and evaluation methods for deep/ultra-deep, marine, and complex fault-block reservoirs.
• Microscopic pore-throat structure, fluid occurrence state, and flow mechanisms in tight and shale reservoirs.
• Advanced logging and reservoir characterization technologies.
• Integrated geological modeling and numerical simulation techniques for complex reservoirs.
• Efficient drilling and completion technologies (horizontal wells, multi-stage fracturing, etc.).
• Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies (chemical flooding, gas injection, thermal recovery, etc.).
• Digital and intelligent oilfield development technologies (big data, artificial intelligence, and digital twins).
• Green and low-carbon development technologies for oil and gas fields.
• Dynamic monitoring, production optimization, and reservoir management.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Qiqi Li
Dr. Huirong Huang
Dr. Fuyun Cong
Guest Editors

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