The geological characteristics and exploration of continental tight oil: an investigation in China

Tight oil is an important and potential reservoir in future China. Drawn from the successful exploration of tight oil in North America, tight oil exploration is now in progress in China. In this paper, we surveyed the tight oil exploration status and challenges, as well as the tight reservoir properties in China, including source rocks, lithology, physical properties and pressure coefficient. The process of pilot test and key technologies are analyzed, while it is still urgent to improve tight oil study and the production mode. We concluded that there are 4 aspects, which are geological features, energy supplement for formation, engineering and technical management innovation, should be improved, and national policy support for tight oil is another key point for successful exploration.