Geomechanics and Engineering Evaluation of Fractured Oil and Gas Reservoirs

Dear Colleagues,

The existence of reservoir fractures in oil and gas reservoirs not only improves the percolation performance of the reservoir but also controls the formation and distribution of the oil and gas. Fractures are widely distributed in tight carbonate rock, tight sandstone, mud shale and volcanic rock reservoirs. Fractured oil and gas reservoirs have become an important field for increasing oil and gas reserves and production and are also an important part of unconventional energy resources. Therefore, the development of reservoir geomechanics and engineering evaluation is an urgent need for the efficient development of this type of oil and gas reservoir. Because fractured reservoirs often have well-developed natural fractures, strong heterogeneity and anisotropy, and complex in situ stress distribution, it is difficult to carry out engineering and geological evaluation of fractured formations. At the same time, it brings major challenges to drilling and production, such as frequent leakage, wellbore instability, stuck pipes, low hydraulic fracturing conductivity, rapid water cut rise, and rapid production decline. In particular, the drilling safety accident caused by the instability of the wellbore severely restricts the exploration and development of oil and gas. The current research on geomechanics of fractured oil and gas reservoirs includes geological and engineering sweet spot prediction, pore-fracture coupling and evolution, quantitative characterization of natural fractures, in situ stress prediction and evaluation, coupling mechanism of natural fractures and artificial fractures, wellbore stability evaluation, hydraulic fracturing optimization, etc. These theoretical innovations and engineering practices provide support for drilling engineering in the development of fractured oil and gas resources, and provide feasible technical means and guarantees for increasing the rate of drilling in fractured formations and improving the efficiency of low-grade gas reservoirs. The theme of this Topic is to bring together original research and review articles discussing the research progress of the evaluation of geomechanics and engineering of fractured oil and gas reservoirs (tight carbonate rocks, tight sandstones, shale, volcanic rocks, etc.). We invite potential authors to discuss how to advance theoretical research and engineering applications such as pore–fracture coupling and quantitative characterization, natural fracture evolution and prediction, geomechanics, drilling and completion, and wellbore stability evaluation to further improve the exploration and development of fractured oil and gas reservoirs. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Core elements and evaluation of reservoir geomechanics;
• Formation, evolution mechanism, and controlling factors of pores and fractures;
• Natural fracture prediction methods based on geology, logging, or seismic;
• Coupling mechanism of natural fractures and artificial fractures;
• Diagenetic evolution and classification of fractured reservoirs;
• In situ stress distribution and quantitative evaluation of fractured reservoirs;
• Drilling in fractured formations and evaluation of wellbore stability;
• Prediction of geomechanical sweet spots in fractured reservoirs;
• Hydraulic fracturing optimization of fractured oil and gas reservoirs;
• Geomechanical changes caused by fluid–rock interactions in fractured reservoirs;
• Engineering evaluation of fracturing fluids in efficient development of fractured reservoirs.

Dr. Hu Li
Dr. Ahmed E. Radwan
Dr. Shuai Yin
Topic Editors