Volcanic rocks have been known as hydrocarbon reservoir rocks for nearly a century. However, petroleum geologists paid little attention to these rocks in the past because far less hydrocarbon reserve was found and little production was obtained from them than from sedimentary reservoirs. Particularly, the research completed on petroleum development geology and reservoir geology is insufficient in regard to volcanic reservoirs, and only a small amount of research has been published worldwide.

Recently, some large volcanic gas fields, such as the Xushen gas field in the Songliao basin and the Kelameili gas field in the Junggar basin, have been discovered and developed in China, and they provide an important platform that Chinese petroleum geologists can use to make some progress on volcanic reservoir geology. A research team composed of young doctors was set up in the Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), PetroChina. These young scientists worked in the gas fields with local geologists for many years; ultimately, they worked out a set of integrated volcanic gas reservoir characterization techniques that technically ensure the rational development of volcanic gas fields. They also contributed some new theories of volcanic gas reservoir geology. This book embodies their academic achievements in this area.

Reservoir characterization technique is the technical manifestation of the application of reservoir geology theory in oil and gas field development. As far as I know, this is the first book to systematically introduce the volcanic gas reservoir characterization in China and in other countries. It expounds the technical content and research ideas of volcanic gas reservoir characterization. In this book, the internal structure of volcanic reservoir is creatively classified for the first time. Based on petrology, modern well logging, and seismic reservoir prediction, the techniques of identification, correlation, tracking, and lateral prediction are developed for various reservoir hierarchies, including volcanic formation, edifice, massif, lithology facies, and accumulation-permeation units. This book also introduces the well logging interpretation techniques for the identification of volcanic lithology, facies, fractures, gas layers and aquifers, effective reservoirs, and the correspondent reservoir parameters. Finally, the book explores the 3D geological model building technology of volcanic gas reservoirs.

I believe the publication of this book will be of great value to the characterization and exploitation of volcanic gas reservoirs. Certainly, this book will catch the attention of petroleum geologists and oil/gas reservoir engineers from all over the world. As a veteran in the area of oil and gas field development, I am willing to promote the publication of this book and eagerly want to see this book coming into the world in the near future.

October 27, 2010