Unconventional Petroleum Sedimentology:Connotation and prospect

The theoretical framework of Unconventional Petroleum Geology has been gradually established along with the rapid progresses in exploration and development of unconventional petroleum resources. It is now imperative for innovative new insights into the unconventional petroleum sedimentology. Herein,the concept and scientific connotations of "Unconventional Petroleum Sedimentology" are proposed and briefly introduced. The research progresses are summarized for the sedimentology of typical unconventional petroleum resources in China,such as Wufeng-Longmaxi Shale gas in Sichuan Basin and tight oil and shale oil of Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin. Further research themes and challenges of Unconventional Petroleum Sedimentology are discussed. Sedimentary enrichment of unconventional petroleum resources can be closely related with some critical environmental changes,which would be the result of coupling sedimentology from several geological events such as global or regional tectonic activities,sea(lake) level changes,volcanic eruptions,climate changes,anoxic bottom water,biotic mass extinctions and radiations,and gravity currents. For better understanding of Unconventional Petroleum Sedimentology in future,the Earth Systems Science view and "unconventional" insights should be applied to its research by analyzing geological events in details, which can play an important role in the discovery of new unconventional petroleum resources.