Progress and development trend of unconventional oil and gas geological research

Abstract

The progress in pore structure characterization, hydrocarbon occurrence state, mechanism of oil and gas accumulation, main controlling factors and high production model of unconventional oil and gas is reviewed. The unconventional oil and gas geological research developed from observation of the nanopores to quantitative full scale and 3D pore structure characterization, from macroscopic occurrence state study to microscopic occurrence state evolution discussion, from differential pressure drive and preferential channel migration to staged accumulation and wettability preferential migration, from accumulation controlled by source to accumulation jointly controlled by source-reservoir assemblage and preservation conditions, from accumulation model to enrichment and high production model, revealing the research progresses and future trends of unconventional oil and gas geology. Challenges are presented in unconventional oil and gas geological theory, enrichment conditions and recoverable resources potential of deeply buried unconventional oil and gas, combination of unconventional oil and gas geological research and engineering technique, and basic geologic research for joint mining of different unconventional oil and gas resources. Key words: unconventional oil and gas, geological theory, research progress, development trend, issues and challenges