Clay Minerals: Roles in Oil and Gas Generation, Drilling, and Enhanced Recovery

Dear Colleagues,

Clay minerals are widely distributed in oil and gas sedimentary basins and play a pivotal role in the generation and extraction of hydrocarbons. They not only affect the formation and migration of hydrocarbons, but also have an impact on subsequent exploration, extraction, and enhanced oil recovery. The interaction between clay minerals and organic matter significantly affects the thermal maturity and quality of generated hydrocarbons, and the adsorption characteristics of clay minerals will also alter the migration path of underground oil and gas. In the drilling process, the identification and analysis of clay minerals are crucial for accurately describing reservoir properties. Problems such as clay swelling, particle migration, and clay–fluid interaction pose major challenges to wellbore stability and enhanced oil recovery, thus placing higher demands on drilling technology and extraction theory. Therefore, in-depth research on the role of clay minerals in oil and gas formation, migration, exploitation, and enhanced oil recovery will help to better understand their key role in the petroleum industry. In particular, clay minerals, as a material with special physical and chemical properties, are extensively employed in the preparation of drilling fluids. The development of clay minerals and clay-based composite materials will contribute to the availability of high-performance drilling fluids for more complex and demanding formations.

This Special Issue aims to explore the critical interactions between clay minerals and hydrocarbon systems and to expand the applications of clay minerals in the petroleum industry. It will cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to, the following:

• Clay mineralogy in source rocks: The role of clay minerals in the formation, accumulation, and thermal maturation of organic matter in source rocks.
• Petroleum geology and mineralogy: Relationship of clay mineral content and distribution to hydrocarbon reservoir properties.
• Enhanced oil recovery: The impact of clay minerals on enhanced oil recovery techniques.
• Applications in drilling fluids: The effects of clay minerals on drilling fluid properties and the use of clay-based composites in drilling fluids.
• Environmental considerations: The role of clay minerals in mitigating the environmental impacts during oil and gas production, including their use in pollution control and soil remediation.

We look forward to your valuable contributions and to submitting your research that will serve as a key reference for researchers and professionals engaged in the study and application of clay minerals in oil and gas generation, exploration, and enhanced recovery.

Dr. Guanzheng Zhuang
Dr. Qiang Li
Guest Editors

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• clay mineral
• petroleum and natural gas engineering
• drilling fluids
• surface interaction
• colloidal chemistry
• enhanced oil recovery

1. Title: Application of nanofibrous clay minerals in drilling fluids

Authors: Guanzheng Zhuang, etc.

2. Title: Sepiolite-based drilling fluids for extreme temperature conditions: current approaches and future potential

Authors: Qiang Li, etc.

3. Title: Application of a new type of modified bentonite particles in deep coalbed gas well drilling fluid

Authors: Yu Zhou, etc.