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Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs

Submission Deadline: 01 June 2025 (closed) View: 2651 Submit to Journal

Guest Editors

Guanglong Sheng, Yangtze University, China. Email: shenggl2019@yangtzeu.edu.cn
Wendong Wang, China University of Petroleum (East China), China. Email: wwdong@upc.edu.cn
Qi Zhang, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), China. Email: qizhang@cug.edu.cn

Summary

This proposed special issue aims to explore the integration of geology and engineering disciplines in the context of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. Unconventional reservoirs, including shale gas, tight gas, and oil sands, require a multidisciplinary approach to effectively characterize, optimize, and evaluate their production potential. This special issue seeks to gather cutting-edge research on the integration of geology and engineering for the development of innovative techniques and methodologies in the exploration, production, and reservoir management of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.

 

The special issue invites researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to contribute their latest findings, methodologies, and case studies in the following research areas:

  • Efficient simulation techniques for modeling unconventional reservoirs

  • Production system optimization strategies for unconventional reservoirs

  • Simulation methods for hydraulic fracturing and fracture propagation in unconventional formations

  • Reservoir evaluation and characterization techniques for unconventional reservoirs

  • Novel approaches in integrated geology-engineering for unconventional reservoirs

  • Advanced data analysis and machine learning applications in reservoir management

  • Environmental considerations and sustainable practices in unconventional reservoir development

  • Case studies showcasing successful applications of integrated geology-engineering in unconventional reservoirs


This special issue aims to provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas among researchers and practitioners in the field of integrated geology-engineering for unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. The collection of articles will contribute to the advancement of efficient and sustainable practices, foster innovation, and enhance the understanding of the complex nature of unconventional reservoirs.

Keywords

Unconventional reservoirs, Geology, Engineering, Simulation techniques, Production system optimization, Hydraulic fracturing simulation, Fracture propagation, Reservoir evaluation, Integrated approaches, Data analysis, Environmental considerations.

Published Papers

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  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Numerical Simulation Method of Meshless Reservoir Considering Time-Varying Connectivity Parameters

    Yuyang Liu, Wensheng Zhou, Zhijie Wei, Engao Tang, Chenyang Shi, Qirui Zhang, Zifeng Chen
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.10, pp. 4245-4260, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.066167
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract After a long period of water flooding development, the oilfield has entered the middle and high water cut stage. The physical properties of reservoirs are changed by water erosion, which directly impacts reservoir development. Conventional numerical reservoir simulation methodologies typically employ static assumptions for model construction, presuming invariant reservoir geological parameters throughout the development process while neglecting the reservoir’s temporal evolution characteristics. Although such simplifications reduce computational complexity, they introduce substantial descriptive inaccuracies. Therefore, this paper proposes a meshless numerical simulation method for reservoirs that considers time-varying characteristics. This method avoids the meshing in traditional… More >

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    173

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Numerical Simulation of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Deep Elasto-Plastic Reservoirs

    Xin Wan, Shuyi Li, Tiankui Guo, Ming Chen, Xing Yang, Guchang Zhang, Zi’ang Wang
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.8, pp. 3013-3039, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.066033
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a key technology for the efficient development of deep oil and gas reservoirs. However, fracture propagation behavior is influenced by rock elastoplasticity and thermal stress, making it difficult for traditional linear elastic models to accurately describe its dynamic response. To address this, this study employs the Continuum-Discontinuum Element Method (CDEM), incorporating an elastoplastic constitutive model, thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling effects, and cohesive zone characteristics at the fracture tip to establish a numerical model for hydraulic fracture propagation in deep elastoplastic reservoirs. A systematic investigation was conducted into the effects of fluid viscosity, reservoir… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Numerical Simulation of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Deep Elasto-Plastic Reservoirs

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    902

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    433

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Accelerating Hydrocarbon Maturation: The Role of Metals and Unconventional Resources in the Northeast Java Basin

    Bagus Sapto Mulyatno, Muh Sarkowi, Ordas Dewanto, Asep Irawan, Suharso, Andy Setyo Wibowo, Indra Mamad Gandidi
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.8, pp. 3099-3116, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.064336
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract Rising global energy needs have intensified the search for unconventional hydrocarbon sources, especially in under-selected areas like the Northeast Java Basin. This region harbors promising unconventional hydrocarbon reserves, where source rocks function as dual-phase systems for both hydrocarbon generation and storage. This research investigates how metal-based catalysts, particularly iron (Fe), can expedite hydrocarbon maturation in such reservoirs. Combining well logging, geochemical assessments, seismic data, and advanced lab techniques, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), we pinpoint optimal zones for exploration. Results indicate that the Tuban, Kujung, and Ngimbang formations contain economically viable unconventional deposits, exhibiting tight reservoir… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Accelerating Hydrocarbon Maturation: The Role of Metals and Unconventional Resources in the Northeast Java Basin

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    440

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    288

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Optimization of Operating Parameters for Underground Gas Storage Based on Genetic Algorithm

    Yuming Luo, Wei Zhang, Anqi Zhao, Ling Gou, Li Chen, Yaling Yang, Xiaoping Wang, Shichang Liu, Huiqing Qi, Shilai Hu
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.8, pp. 3201-3221, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.066507
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract This work proposes an optimization method for gas storage operation parameters under multi-factor coupled constraints to improve the peak-shaving capacity of gas storage reservoirs while ensuring operational safety. Previous research primarily focused on integrating reservoir, wellbore, and surface facility constraints, often resulting in broad constraint ranges and slow model convergence. To solve this problem, the present study introduces additional constraints on maximum withdrawal rates by combining binomial deliverability equations with material balance equations for closed gas reservoirs, while considering extreme peak-shaving demands. This approach effectively narrows the constraint range. Subsequently, a collaborative optimization model with… More >

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    698

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    305

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Simulation on H2S Migration and Elutriation during Cyclic Operationof Underground Sour Gas Storage

    Siji Chen, Gang Chen, Wei Wang, Han Liu, Mukun Ouyang, Wanhong Zhang, Lianghua Zhang, Wei Tang, Shilai Hu
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.7, pp. 2819-2843, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.065481
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract The construction and operation of sulfur-containing gas storage are often more difficult than a non-sulfur storage facility due to the need to prevent environmental contamination from H2S leaks, as well as the corrosive effects of H2S on production facilities. Rapid elutriation of H2S from the reservoir during the construction of the gas storage is an effective way to avoid these problems. However, the existing H2S elutriation method has low efficiency and high economic cost, which limits the development of reconstructed gas storage of sulfur-containing gas reservoirs. To improve the efficiency of H2S elutriation in sulfur-containing gas reservoirs and… More >

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    767

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    291

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Numerical Simulation on Depressurization-Driven Production of Class I Hydrate Deposits with Transition Layer and Perforation Modes Optimization

    Yajie Bai, Jian Hou, Yongge Liu
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.6, pp. 2503-2518, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.063198
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract Natural gas hydrate widely exists in the South China Sea as clean energy. A three-phase transition layer widely exists in low permeability Class I hydrates in the Shenhu offshore area. Therefore, taking into account the low-permeability characteristics with an average permeability of 5.5 mD and moderate heterogeneity, a 3-D geological model of heterogeneous Class I hydrate reservoirs with three-phase transition layers is established by Kriging interpolation and stochastic modeling method, and a numerical simulation model is used to describe the depressurization production performance of the reservoir. With the development of depressurization, a specific range of… More >

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    840

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    341

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Models for Predicting the Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP) of CO2-Oil in Ultra-Deep Oil Reservoirs Based on Machine Learning

    Kun Li, Tianfu Li, Xiuwei Wang, Qingchun Meng, Zhenjie Wang, Jinyang Luo, Zhaohui Wang, Yuedong Yao
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.6, pp. 2215-2238, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.062876
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract CO2 flooding for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) not only enables underground carbon storage but also plays a critical role in tertiary oil recovery. However, its displacement efficiency is constrained by whether CO2 and crude oil achieve miscibility, necessitating precise prediction of the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) for CO2-oil systems. Traditional methods, such as experimental measurements and empirical correlations, face challenges including time-consuming procedures and limited applicability. In contrast, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have emerged as superior alternatives due to their efficiency, broad applicability, and high prediction accuracy. This study employs four AI algorithms—Random Forest Regression (RFR), Genetic… More >

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    1418

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    447

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    The Influence of Water-Polymer Co-Flooding on the Development Effect of Oil Reservoirs

    Wensheng Zhou, Chen Liu, Deqiang Wang, Bin Wang, Yaguang Qu
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.6, pp. 2337-2354, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.062530
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract The J oilfield in the Bohai has a long development history and has undergone comprehensive adjustment measures, including water injection and polymer injection. Following these adjustments, the injection and production well network now features coexistence of both polymer injection wells and water injection wells, which has negatively impacted production dynamics. Firstly, based on the adjusted reservoir well network in the J oilfield, a representative water-polymer co-injection well network was established. Subsequently, a numerical simulation model of this typical reservoir unit was developed using reservoir numerical simulation methods to confirm the interference issues associated with water-polymer More >

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    747

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    341

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Analysis of Hydraulic Fracture Network Morphology in Stimulated Coal Reservoirs with Pre-Existing Natural Fractures

    Weiping Ouyang, Luoyi Huang, Jinghua Liu, Hongzhong Zhang
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.4, pp. 1491-1509, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.061171
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a crucial technique for efficient development of coal reservoirs. Coal rocks typically contain a high density of natural fractures, which serve as conduits for fracturing fluid. Upon injection, the fluid infiltrates these natural fractures and leaks out, resulting in complex fracture morphology. The prediction of hydraulic fracture network propagation for coal reservoirs has important practical significance for evaluating hydraulic fracturing. This study proposes a novel inversion method for predicting fracture networks in coal reservoirs, explicitly considering the distribution of natural fractures. The method incorporates three distinct natural fracture opening modes and employs… More >

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    913

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    479

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Natural Gas Hydrate Riser Transportation

    Chenhong Li, Guojin Han, Hua Zhong, Chao Zhang, Rui Zhang, Jonggeun Choe, Chen Xing, Xuewen Cao, Jiang Bian
    Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.4, pp. 1287-1309, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.060970
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract Extracted natural gas hydrate is a multi-phase and multi-component mixture, and its complex composition poses significant challenges for transmission and transportation, including phase changes following extraction and sediment deposition within the pipeline. This study examines the flow and heat transfer characteristics of hydrates in a riser, focusing on the multi-phase flow behavior of natural gas hydrate in the development riser. Additionally, the effects of hydrate flow and seawater temperature on heat exchange are analyzed by simulating the ambient temperature conditions of the South China Sea. The findings reveal that the increase in unit pressure drop… More >

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    939

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    477

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    The Hydraulic Fracturing Optimization for Stacked Tight Gas Reservoirs Using Multilayers and Multiwells Fracturing Strategies

    Yuanyuan Yang, Xian Shi, Cheng Ji, Yujie Yan, Na An, Teng Zhang
    Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.12, pp. 3667-3688, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.056266
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract Based on a geology-engineering sweet spot evaluation, the high-quality reservoir zones and horizontal well landing points were determined. Subsequently, fracture propagation and production were simulated with a multilayer fracturing scenario. The optimal hydraulic fracturing strategy for the multilayer fracturing network was determined by introducing a vertical asymmetry factor. This strategy aimed to minimize stress shadowing effects in the vertical direction while maximizing the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). The study found that the small vertical layer spacing of high-quality reservoirs and the presence of stress-masking layers (with a stress difference of approximately 3~8 MPa) indicate that… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    The Hydraulic Fracturing Optimization for Stacked Tight Gas Reservoirs Using Multilayers and Multiwells Fracturing Strategies

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    1485

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    666

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Phase Transitions and Seepage Characteristics during the Depletion Development of Deep Condensate Gas Reservoirs

    Qiang Liu, Rujun Wang, Yintao Zhang, Chong Sun, Meichun Yang, Yuliang Su, Wendong Wang, Ying Shi, Zheng Chen
    Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.10, pp. 2797-2823, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.052007
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract Deep condensate gas reservoirs exhibit highly complex and variable phase behaviors, making it crucial to understand the relationship between fluid phase states and flow patterns. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the actual production process of the deep condensate gas well A1 in a certain oilfield in China. Combining phase behavior analysis and CMG software simulations, the study systematically investigates phase transitions, viscosity, and density changes in the gas and liquid phases under different pressure conditions, with a reservoir temperature of 165°C. The research covers three crucial depletion stages of the reservoir: single-phase flow,… More >

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    1467

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    741

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    CFD Investigation of Diffusion Law and Harmful Boundary of Buried Natural Gas Pipeline in the Mountainous Environment

    Liqiong Chen, Kui Zhao, Kai Zhang, Duo Xv, Hongxvan Hu, Guoguang Ma, Wenwen Zhan
    Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.8, pp. 2143-2165, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.049362
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract The leakage gas from a buried natural gas pipelines has the great potential to cause economic losses and environmental pollution owing to the complexity of the mountainous environment. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was applied to investigate the diffusion law and hazard range of buried natural gas pipeline leakage in mountainous environment. Based on cloud chart, concentration at the monitoring site and hazard range of lower explosion limit (LEL) and upper explosion limit (UEL), the influences of leakage hole direction and shape, soil property, burial depth, obstacle type on the diffusion law… More >

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    1553

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    822

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Production Capacity Prediction Method of Shale Oil Based on Machine Learning Combination Model

    Qin Qian, Mingjing Lu, Anhai Zhong, Feng Yang, Wenjun He, Min Li
    Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.8, pp. 2167-2190, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.049430
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract The production capacity of shale oil reservoirs after hydraulic fracturing is influenced by a complex interplay involving geological characteristics, engineering quality, and well conditions. These relationships, nonlinear in nature, pose challenges for accurate description through physical models. While field data provides insights into real-world effects, its limited volume and quality restrict its utility. Complementing this, numerical simulation models offer effective support. To harness the strengths of both data-driven and model-driven approaches, this study established a shale oil production capacity prediction model based on a machine learning combination model. Leveraging fracturing development data from 236 wells… More >

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    1681

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    825

  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    A Research Progress of CO2-Responsive Plugging Channeling Gels

    Yang Xiong, Jianxin Liu, Xianhao Yi, Bangyan Xiao, Dan Wu, Biao Wu, Chunyu Gao
    Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.7, pp. 1759-1780, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.048536
    （This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Geology-Engineering Simulation and Optimizationfor Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs)
    Abstract In the heterogeneous reservoirs, CO2 flooding easily leads to CO2 gas channeling, which can seriously affect sweeping efficiency and reduce oil recovery. After thoroughly investigating the advantages and shortcomings of various CO2 plugging technologies, this paper focuses on the feasibility of improving conventional water-alternating gas (WAG) through CO2-responsive gel materials. Based on the different chemical reaction mechanisms between the unique chemical structure and CO2, changes in the material’s physical and chemical properties can respond to CO2. The feasibility of utilizing these property changes for CO2-responsive plugging is explored. Various CO2-responsive gels and gel nanoparticles have been extensively researched in More >

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    2064

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    905

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