Progress and prospects of reservoir development geology

Abstract

This paper deals with the main scientific problems, academic connotation, progress and prospects of reservoir development geology. The reservoir development geology involves the key scientific problems of reservoir connectivity, flow ability, and time variability. Its research focuses on the forming mechanism and distribution model of geological factors controlling the reservoir development, the control mechanism of geological factors to oil and gas production, the rule of reservoir dynamic evolution during development, and the reservoir characterization and modeling technology. Important progress has been made on theory and technology of reservoir development geology in high water-cut reservoirs, low permeability and tight shale reservoirs, fracture-cavity reservoirs, which makes the reservoir development geology grow as an independent academic subject already. With the development expansion in areas of deep-strata, deep-water, and unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs, and the increasing difficulties of high water-cut reservoir development, the theory and technology of reservoir development geology remain to be developed in order to support efficient and economic development of hydrocarbon fields with a sustainable growth. Key words: development geology, scientific problem, research progress, development geologic factor, reservoir development