Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale Reservoirs

Compared to conventional reservoirs, the abundant nanopores developed in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs influence fluid properties, with nano-confinement effects. The phase behavior, flow characteristics, and solid–liquid interactions of fluids are different from those in conventional reservo...

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Main Authors: Guo Wang, Rui Shen, Shengchun Xiong, Yuhao Mei, Qinghao Dong, Shasha Chu, Heying Su, Xuewei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/166
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author Guo Wang
Rui Shen
Shengchun Xiong
Yuhao Mei
Qinghao Dong
Shasha Chu
Heying Su
Xuewei Liu
author_facet Guo Wang
Rui Shen
Shengchun Xiong
Yuhao Mei
Qinghao Dong
Shasha Chu
Heying Su
Xuewei Liu
author_sort Guo Wang
collection DOAJ
description Compared to conventional reservoirs, the abundant nanopores developed in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs influence fluid properties, with nano-confinement effects. The phase behavior, flow characteristics, and solid–liquid interactions of fluids are different from those in conventional reservoirs. This review investigates the physical experiments, numerical simulations, and theoretical calculation methods used in the study of nano-confinement effects in unconventional oil and gas energy. The impact of different methods used in the analysis of fluid phase behavior and movement in nanopores is analyzed. Nanofluidic, Monte Carlo method, and modified equation of state are commonly used to study changes in fluid phase behavior. Nano-confinement effects become significant when pore sizes are below 10 nm, generally leading to a reduction in the fluid’s critical parameters. The molecular dynamic simulation, Monte Carlo, and lattice Boltzmann methods are commonly used to study fluid movement. The diffusion rate of fluids decreases as nanopore confinement increases, and the permeability of nanoscale pores is not only an inherent property of the rock but is also influenced by pressure and fluid–solid interactions. In the future, it will be essential to combine various research methods, achieve progress in small-scale experimental analysis and multiscale simulation.
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spelling doaj-art-8132a674864342cf95ccec14f7f933db2025-08-20T02:27:39ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118116610.3390/en18010166Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale ReservoirsGuo Wang0Rui Shen1Shengchun Xiong2Yuhao Mei3Qinghao Dong4Shasha Chu5Heying Su6Xuewei Liu7University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaInstitute of Porous Flow & Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, ChinaInstitute of Porous Flow & Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, ChinaInstitute of Porous Flow & Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, ChinaCompared to conventional reservoirs, the abundant nanopores developed in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs influence fluid properties, with nano-confinement effects. The phase behavior, flow characteristics, and solid–liquid interactions of fluids are different from those in conventional reservoirs. This review investigates the physical experiments, numerical simulations, and theoretical calculation methods used in the study of nano-confinement effects in unconventional oil and gas energy. The impact of different methods used in the analysis of fluid phase behavior and movement in nanopores is analyzed. Nanofluidic, Monte Carlo method, and modified equation of state are commonly used to study changes in fluid phase behavior. Nano-confinement effects become significant when pore sizes are below 10 nm, generally leading to a reduction in the fluid’s critical parameters. The molecular dynamic simulation, Monte Carlo, and lattice Boltzmann methods are commonly used to study fluid movement. The diffusion rate of fluids decreases as nanopore confinement increases, and the permeability of nanoscale pores is not only an inherent property of the rock but is also influenced by pressure and fluid–solid interactions. In the future, it will be essential to combine various research methods, achieve progress in small-scale experimental analysis and multiscale simulation.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/166nano-confinement effectsunconventional oil and gas energyshale reservoirnanofluidic technologymolecular dynamic simulationMonte Carlo method
spellingShingle Guo Wang
Rui Shen
Shengchun Xiong
Yuhao Mei
Qinghao Dong
Shasha Chu
Heying Su
Xuewei Liu
Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale Reservoirs
Energies
nano-confinement effects
unconventional oil and gas energy
shale reservoir
nanofluidic technology
molecular dynamic simulation
Monte Carlo method
title Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale Reservoirs
title_full Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale Reservoirs
title_fullStr Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale Reservoirs
title_full_unstemmed Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale Reservoirs
title_short Research Progress on Nano-Confinement Effects in Unconventional Oil and Gas Energy—With a Major Focus on Shale Reservoirs
title_sort research progress on nano confinement effects in unconventional oil and gas energy with a major focus on shale reservoirs
topic nano-confinement effects
unconventional oil and gas energy
shale reservoir
nanofluidic technology
molecular dynamic simulation
Monte Carlo method
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/166
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