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Processes
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Recent Developments in Low-Carbon and Efficient Extraction Technologies of Deep...
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Recent Developments in Low-Carbon and Efficient Extraction Technologies of Deep Unconventional Reservoirs

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2025 | Viewed by 1160

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Haichao Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Geological and Mining Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Interests: coalbed methane; underground coal gasification; resource evaluation; origin and enrichment of H2S
Dr. Zhenzhi Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China
Interests: coalbed methane geology; carbon dioxide geological storage; gas injected for enhanced coalbed methane recovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Qinghe Niu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, Shijiazhuang 050043, China
Interests: exploration and development of deep coalbed methane; CO2-enhanced coalbed methane recovery
Dr. Boyang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Unconventional Oil & Gas, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing 163318, China
Interests: shale oil and gas; coalbed methane; fractal characterization; reservoir sensitivity; hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

China is reshaping the global energy landscape through its deep energy revolution, creating a new paradigm for unconventional resource development via three-dimensional synergy of technological breakthroughs, management innovation, and strategic planning. In strategic replacement zones below 1,500 meter depths, China has not only shattered the theoretical constraints of the "coalbed methane (CBM) extraction forbidden zone" but also established a comprehensive cost-reduction system across the entire industrial chain. This drives CBM production to exceed 11.7 billion cubic meters in 2024 with a year-on-year growth rate of 20.5%, and is projected to achieve 30 billion cubic meters production capacity by 2030—equivalent to adding a cluster of medium-sized gas fields. Simultaneously, this revolutionary practice forms strategic resonance with breakthroughs in continental shale oil development. Compared with marine shale oil, continental shale oil formed in complex geological environments exhibits strong reservoir heterogeneity, with significantly different enrichment patterns and extraction technologies that demand innovations in hydrocarbon generation mechanisms and mobility evaluation systems.

Looking forward, the following three certain trends will define the global energy landscape: (1) Technological leaps driving deeper resource extraction. (2) Unconventional resources becoming primary energy suppliers. (3) Low-carbon constraints catalyzing development model transformations. Under carbon neutrality goals, deep energy development demonstrates new technological convergences: CO2 displacement technology enhances CBM recovery while achieving carbon sequestration; waterless fracturing processes dramatically conserve water resources; and underground gasification technology converts coal into syngas in situ. These innovations form a "geological modification-energy extraction-carbon sequestration" trinity technology matrix, reducing comprehensive development costs for deep CBM, shale gas, and hot dry rock resources by 30%, providing a transformative model for global deep-Earth resource exploitation.

Based on the above, the current topic will explore the following discussion directions (including but not limited to):

(1) Impact of major geological events on organic matter enrichment;

(2) Hydrocarbon generation mechanisms and kinetic mechanisms of organic matter;

(3) Fine characterization of reservoir heterogeneity structures and their evolutionary patterns;

(4) Highly integrated energy geology–engineering sweet spot evaluation technology;

(5) Physical and chemical reservoir stimulation techniques;

(6) Solutions for technical bottlenecks in deep CBM/shale oil–gas development;

(7) CO2 geological storage technologies.

Prof. Dr. Haichao Wang
Dr. Zhenzhi Wang
Dr. Qinghe Niu
Dr. Boyang 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. Processes 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

  • deep energy
  • coalbed methane
  • shale oil
  • CO2 displacement technology
  • geological carbon dioxide storage technology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 21628 KiB  
Article
Key Controlling Factors of Deep Coalbed Methane Reservoir Characteristics in Yan’an Block, Ordos Basin: Based on Multi-Scale Pore Structure Characterization and Fluid Mobility Research
by Jianbo Sun, Sijie Han, Shiqi Liu, Jin Lin, Fukang Li, Gang Liu, Peng Shi and Hongbo Teng
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2382; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082382 - 27 Jul 2025
Viewed by 340
Abstract
The development of deep coalbed methane (buried depth > 2000 m) in the Yan’an block of Ordos Basin is limited by low permeability, the pore structure of the coal reservoir, and the gas–water occurrence relationship. It is urgent to clarify the key control [...] Read more.
The development of deep coalbed methane (buried depth > 2000 m) in the Yan’an block of Ordos Basin is limited by low permeability, the pore structure of the coal reservoir, and the gas–water occurrence relationship. It is urgent to clarify the key control mechanism of pore structure on gas migration. In this study, based on high-pressure mercury intrusion (pore size > 50 nm), low-temperature N2/CO2 adsorption (0.38–50 nm), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology, fractal theory and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, quantitative characterization of multi-scale pore–fluid system was carried out. The results show that the multi-scale pore network in the study area jointly regulates the occurrence and migration process of deep coalbed methane in Yan’an through the ternary hierarchical gas control mechanism of ‘micropore adsorption dominant, mesopore diffusion connection and macroporous seepage bottleneck’. The fractal dimensions of micropores and seepage are between 2.17–2.29 and 2.46–2.58, respectively. The shape of micropores is relatively regular, the complexity of micropore structure is low, and the confined space is mainly slit-like or ink bottle-like. The pore-throat network structure is relatively homogeneous, the difference in pore throat size is reduced, and the seepage pore shape is simple. The bimodal structure of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance shows that the bound fluid is related to the development of micropores, and the fluid mobility mainly depends on the seepage pores. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that the specific surface area of micropores was strongly positively correlated with methane adsorption capacity, and the nanoscale pore-size dominated gas occurrence through van der Waals force physical adsorption. The specific surface area of mesopores is significantly positively correlated with the tortuosity. The roughness and branch structure of the inner surface of the channel lead to the extension of the migration path and the inhibition of methane diffusion efficiency. Seepage porosity is linearly correlated with gas permeability, and the scale of connected seepage pores dominates the seepage capacity of reservoirs. This study reveals the pore structure and ternary grading synergistic gas control mechanism of deep coal reservoirs in the Yan’an Block, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of deep coalbed methane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Low-Carbon and Efficient Extraction Technologies of Deep Unconventional Reservoirs)
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Review

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27 pages, 5201 KiB  
Review
Geomechanical and Geochemical Considerations for Hydrogen Storage in Shale and Tight Reservoirs
by Sarath Poda and Gamadi Talal
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2522; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082522 - 11 Aug 2025
Viewed by 185
Abstract
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in shale and tight reservoirs offers a promising solution for large-scale energy storage, playing a critical role in the transition to a hydrogen-based economy. However, the successful deployment of UHS in these low-permeability formations depends on a thorough understanding [...] Read more.
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in shale and tight reservoirs offers a promising solution for large-scale energy storage, playing a critical role in the transition to a hydrogen-based economy. However, the successful deployment of UHS in these low-permeability formations depends on a thorough understanding of the geomechanical and geochemical factors that affect storage integrity, injectivity, and long-term stability. This review critically examines the geomechanical aspects, including stress distribution, rock deformation, fracture propagation, and caprock integrity, which govern hydrogen containment under subsurface conditions. Additionally, it explores key geochemical challenges such as hydrogen-induced mineral alterations, adsorption effects, microbial activity, and potential reactivity with formation fluids, to evaluate their impact on storage feasibility. A comprehensive analysis of experimental studies, numerical modeling approaches, and field applications is presented to identify knowledge gaps and future research directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Low-Carbon and Efficient Extraction Technologies of Deep Unconventional Reservoirs)
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