Introduction of geomechanical restoration method and its implications for reservoir assessment of unconventional oil–gas resource in China

New technologies are in urgent need of unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and development in China. This paper provides a brief introduction and analysis of a new three-dimensional (3D) geomechanical restoration method developed in recent years. After an in-depth discussion on the technical principle and specific characteristics of the fields, we designed a feasible workflow for two oil–gas fields with great unconventional oil–gas resource potentials in China (Weiyuan and Jiulongshan oil–gas fields of Sichuan). After discussing the major challenges and limitations of the new technology, we also suggest its research efforts and future application prospect. It is shown that the new technology will be an effective method to facilitate the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas resources in China.