Reservoir Genesis and Quality Evolution in Hydrocarbon Systems

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reservoir rocks are the foundational units for hydrocarbon storage and flow, and their effectiveness is governed by their original depositional character and subsequent diagenetic modification. The porosity and permeability of these units, essential for economic viability, are products of their source material, the depositional system that formed them, and their post-depositional geological journey. Deciphering this evolution is a central challenge in geoscience with direct applications to reducing exploration risk and enhancing recovery.

We invite you to contribute to this Topic, which aims to showcase innovative research on the formation and quality evolution of clastic and carbonate reservoirs in petroleum basins.

This Topic aims bring together a collection of articles that advance the understanding of reservoir genesis, heterogeneity, and quality prediction. This subject is core to the journal's scope in petroleum geology, reservoir engineering, and subsurface characterization, focusing on the geological processes that create and modify hydrocarbon pore space. By highlighting studies that bridge fundamental research and applied practices, this issue will provide valuable insights and predictive models for characterizing complex reservoir systems, ultimately supporting more effective hydrocarbon resource development.

We welcome the submission of original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• The genesis of reservoir sedimentary bodies and provenance analysis;
• Diagenetic sequences and their impact on porosity-permeability evolution;
• Fractal characterization of reservoir heterogeneity;
• Advanced techniques in reservoir rock petrophysics and imaging (e.g., digital rock physics, micro-CT);
• Geochemical proxies for reconstructing reservoir quality evolution;
• Mechanical and chemical processes in fracture formation and sealing;
• Reservoir architecture and stratigraphic framework analysis;
• Integrated reservoir modeling and quality prediction;
• Case studies of reservoir evolution in conventional and unconventional plays.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Lei Chen
Prof. Dr. Bojiang Fan
Dr. Hexin Huang
Dr. Liangwei Xu
Dr. Zhikai Liang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Minerals minerals	2.2	4.4	2011	17.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Geosciences geosciences	2.1	5.1	2011	23.6 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Fractal and Fractional fractalfract	3.3	6.0	2017	19.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.8	5.0	2013	16.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Processes processes	2.8	5.5	2013	14.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Minerals Geosciences Fractal Fract Energies JMSE Processes

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23 pages, 13600 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Development of Braided River Delta–Shallow Lacustrine Siliciclastic–Carbonate Mixed Sedimentation in the Upper Ganchaigou Formation, Huatugou Oilfield, Qaidam Basin, China

by Yuxin Liang, Xinmin Song, Youjing Wang and Wenjie Feng

Minerals 2026, 16(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16010092 - 17 Jan 2026

Viewed by 130

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the lithofacies, sedimentary microfacies, vertical evolution, and spatial distribution of the braided river delta–shallow lacustrine carbonate mixed sedimentary rocks of the Upper Ganchaigou Formation in the Huatugou Oilfield of the Qaidam Basin, China. This study integrates data from field [...] Read more.

This study systematically investigates the lithofacies, sedimentary microfacies, vertical evolution, and spatial distribution of the braided river delta–shallow lacustrine carbonate mixed sedimentary rocks of the Upper Ganchaigou Formation in the Huatugou Oilfield of the Qaidam Basin, China. This study integrates data from field outcrops, core observations, thin section petrography, laboratory analyses, and well-logging interpretations. Based on these datasets, the sedimentary characteristics are identified, and a comprehensive sedimentary model is constructed. The results reveal that the study area contains five clastic facies, three types of mixed sedimentary facies, and ten sedimentary microfacies. Two distinct modes of mixed sedimentation are recognized: component mixing and stratigraphic mixing. A full lacustrine transgression–regression cycle is formed by the two types of mixed sedimentation characteristics, which exhibit noticeable differences in vertical evolution. Component mixing, which occurs in a mixed environment of continuous clastic supply and carbonate precipitation during the transgression, is the primary characteristic of the VIII–X oil formation. The mixed strata that make up the VI–VII oil formation show rhythmic interbedding of carbonate and clastic rocks. During the lacustrine regression, it shows the alternating sedimentary environment regulated by frequent variations in lacustrine levels. The planar distribution is affected by both intensity of sediment from the west and the changes in lacustrine level. During the lacustrine transgression, it is dominated by littoral-shallow lacustrine mixed beach bar and mixed sedimentary delta. On the other hand, during the lacustrine regression, it is dominated by laterally amalgamated sand bodies in the braided-river delta front. Based on this, a mixed sedimentary evolution model controlled by the coupling of “source–lacustrine level” is established. It offers a guide for reconstructing the sedimentary environment in basins that are similar to it and reveals the evolution path of mixed sedimentation in the short-axis source area of arid saline lacustrine basins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Reservoir Genesis and Quality Evolution in Hydrocarbon Systems)

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20 pages, 18087 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Formation Mechanism of Pores and Throats in the Permian Continental Shales of the Junggar Basin in China

by Ze Li, Xianglu Tang, Lei Chen, Zhenxue Jiang, Zhenglian Yuan, Leilei Yang, Yifan Jiao and Wanxin Shi

Minerals 2026, 16(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16010038 - 29 Dec 2025

Viewed by 221

Abstract

Shale pores and throats are key factors controlling the enrichment and development efficiency of shale oil and gas. However, the characteristics and formation mechanisms of shale pores and throats remain unclear. Taking the Permian continental shales in the Mahu Sag of the Junggar [...] Read more.

Shale pores and throats are key factors controlling the enrichment and development efficiency of shale oil and gas. However, the characteristics and formation mechanisms of shale pores and throats remain unclear. Taking the Permian continental shales in the Mahu Sag of the Junggar Basin as an example, this paper studies the formation mechanisms of pores and throats in shales of different lithofacies through a series of experiments, such as high-pressure mercury injection and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the Permian continental shales in the Junggar Basin are mainly composed of five lithofacies: rich siliceous shale (RSS), calcareous–siliceous shale (CSS), argillaceous–siliceous shale (ASS), siliceous–calcareous shale (SCS), and mixed-composition shale (MCS). The pores in shale are dominated by intergranular and intragranular pores. The intergranular pores are mainly primary pores and secondary dissolution pores. The primary pores are mainly slit-like and polygonal, with diameters between 40 and 1000 nm. The secondary dissolution pores formed by dissolution are irregular with serrated edges, and their diameters range from 0.1 to 10 μm. The throats are mainly pore-constriction throats and knot-like throats, with few vessel-like throats, overall exhibiting characteristics of nanometer-scale width. The mineral composition has a significant influence on the development of pores and throats. Siliceous minerals promote the development of macropores, and carbonate minerals promote the development of mesopores. Clay minerals inhibit pore development. Diagenesis regulates the development of pores and throats through mechanical compaction, cementation, and dissolution. Compaction leads to a reduction in porosity, and cementation has varying effects on the preservation of pores and throats. Dissolution is the main factor for increased pores and throats. These findings provide a lithofacies-based geological framework for evaluating effective porosity, seepage capacity, and shale oil development potential in continental shale reservoirs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Reservoir Genesis and Quality Evolution in Hydrocarbon Systems)

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19 pages, 3641 KB  

Open AccessArticle

The Enrichment of Uranium in Marine Organic-Rich Overmature Shales: Association with Algal Fragments and Implications for High-Productivity Interval

by Guoliang Xie, Kun Jiao, Shugen Liu, Yuehao Ye, Jiayu Wang, Bin Deng, Juan Wu and Xiaokai Feng

Minerals 2025, 15(12), 1238; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15121238 - 23 Nov 2025

Viewed by 519

Abstract

Marine organic-rich shales frequently exhibit anomalously high uranium (U) concentrations, yet the mechanisms governing its enrichment in overmature formations like the Wufeng–Longmaxi shales remain unclear. This study examines the distribution and enrichment patterns of uranium in the Wufeng–Longmaxi shales in typical wells through [...] Read more.

Marine organic-rich shales frequently exhibit anomalously high uranium (U) concentrations, yet the mechanisms governing its enrichment in overmature formations like the Wufeng–Longmaxi shales remain unclear. This study examines the distribution and enrichment patterns of uranium in the Wufeng–Longmaxi shales in typical wells through integrated geochemical and geophysical analyses, supplemented by natural gamma spectral logging data. Key findings include: (1) Multiple (up to three) uranium enrichment events are identified within the Wufeng–Longmaxi sequence, consistently corresponding to shale gas sweet spots. (2) Uranium content shows a clear dependence on organic matter (OM) type, with algal fragments being the primary host of uranium, likely due to incorporation during early diagenesis. Pore-water redox conditions and pH further govern the reduction of U (U⁶⁺) and its subsequent sequestration into organic phases. (3) The equivalent vitrinite reflectance (ER_o) of uranium-rich shales is 0.11%–0.17% higher than that of non-uranium-rich shales, suggesting that uranium enrichment may slightly enhance OM thermal maturity. (4) Uranium distribution is collectively controlled by reducing conditions, volcanic eruptions (e.g., tuff layers), and OM type. Additionally, uranium enrichment provides chronostratigraphic markers that may aid in timing marine black shales. These findings thus offer a mechanistic understanding of uranium enrichment in overmature shales, with direct implications for targeting productive intervals in shale gas systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Reservoir Genesis and Quality Evolution in Hydrocarbon Systems)

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