Advances in Integrated Geological, Mineralogical, and Engineering Research on Unconventional Oil and Gas

Dear Colleagues,

The efficient development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources critically depends on closely integrating geological understanding and engineering practices. This Topic aims to showcase cutting-edge research and innovative methodologies that bridge this gap, enhancing recovery and optimizing operations.

We invite contributions addressing advances in geology–engineering integration. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Geological Fundamentals and Resource Evaluation​:

• Geological controls on hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation in unconventional reservoirs (e.g., lithofacies heterogeneity, fracture networks, and fluid–rock interactions)​;

• Sweet-spot identification and prediction: Integrating seismic, logging, core analysis, and geomechanical data​;

• Reservoir quality assessment and geological modeling for unconventional plays (shale, tight formations, coal seams, gas hydrate-bearing sediments)​;

• Geochemical characterization and resource potential evaluation of unconventional hydrocarbons​.

2. Reservoir Characterization and Petrophysical Analysis​:

• Advanced petrophysical evaluation techniques for low-permeability, multi-mineral unconventional reservoirs​;

• Fracture characterization: Microseismic monitoring, image logging, core imaging, and numerical simulation of fracture networks​;

• Fluid behavior in unconventional reservoirs (adsorption/desorption, diffusion, flow in nano/micro-pores)​;

• Geomechanical modeling and its integration with reservoir characterization (stress distribution, rock mechanical properties, and fracture propagation potential)​.

3. Drilling and Completion Engineering Innovations​:

• Optimized drilling technologies for unconventional plays: Horizontal drilling, extended-reach drilling, and ultra-deep drilling​;

• Novel completion designs: Multi-stage fracturing, sliding sleeve completion, and intelligent completion systems​;

• Drilling fluid and completion fluid technologies for minimizing formation damage in unconventional reservoirs​;

• Cost-effective drilling and completion strategies for low-quality unconventional resources​.

4. Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Stimulation​:

• Advanced hydraulic fracturing techniques: Refracturing, foam fracturing, slickwater fracturing, and proppant selection optimization​;

• Numerical simulation and optimization of hydraulic fracturing (fracture geometry, proppant transport, and stimulation efficiency)​;

• Reservoir stimulation beyond hydraulic fracturing: Chemical stimulation, thermal stimulation, and microbial stimulation for unconventional resources​;

• Environmental considerations in fracturing operations: Water management, chemical additive safety, and carbon footprint reduction​.

5. Production Optimization and Enhanced Recovery​:

• Production performance analysis and prediction for unconventional reservoirs (decline curve analysis, numerical simulation, and data-driven modeling)​;

• Enhanced oil/gas recovery (EOR/EGR) technologies for unconventional plays: Gas injection, chemical flooding, and thermal recovery​;

• Smart production technologies: Real-time monitoring, data analytics, and machine learning applications for production optimization​;

• Integrated reservoir management: Coupling geological updates, engineering adjustments, and production performance feedback.​

6. Cross-Disciplinary Integration and Emerging Technologies​:

• Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics in geology–engineering integration for unconventional resources​;

• Digital twin technology for unconventional reservoir development (virtual reservoir modeling, real-time operation optimization)​;

• Multi-physics coupling simulation (geology, geomechanics, fluid flow, and engineering operations)​;

• Environmental and sustainability aspects of unconventional hydrocarbon development (carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) integration, and ecological protection).​

We welcome original research and review articles. Manuscripts should be submitted online via the journal's submission system.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Prof. Dr. Shu Tao
Dr. Shida Chen
Dr. Zhengguang Zhang
Dr. Yu Song
Dr. Qiong Wang
Topic Editors