Light oils/condensates are high-quality petroleum resources that are rich in low molecular weight hydrocarbons. Recently, we have been trying to achieve carbon neutrality, meanwhile, we are also confronted with the challenges of energy shortage in some regions. The relatively clean light oil/condensate resources have become one of the most important exploration targets in the petroleum industry especially in deep and shale oil reservoirs. However, it is challenging to determine the thermal maturities, oil types and sources of light oils/condensates. This is because they are short of high molecular weight compounds and accessible geochemical information (e.g., diagnostic biomarkers, carbon and hydrogen isotopes) are generally limited. In addition, most light oils/condensates are generated during high maturity stages (Ro = 1.35 – 2.0%), and they tend to undergo several geological evolution stages. Compared with normal petroleum resources, the generation, enrichment and preservation mechanisms of light oils/condensates are more complex, and the associated geochemistry and engineering (improved oil recovery) issues are still not fully understood. This limits the exploration and development of light oil/condensate resources.

Considering the above, we have organized this Research Topic to specifically cover the following topics:
1. New analytical methods and techniques to quantitatively characterize light oils/condensates in deep or shale reservoirs;
2. Theoretical advancements in the generation, charging, accumulation, and preservation of light oils/condensates;
3. Controls of enrichment of commercial light oil/condensate reservoirs in different geological regions;
4. Enhancement of the light oil/condensate recovery in deep or shale reservoirs.

We particularly welcome research covering the following areas:
1. New methods and techniques for light oil/condensate geochemistry analysis, including: adamantane index, cluster carbon isotope, spectrographic techniques, trace element analysis, non-traditional stable isotopes, etc;
2. Accumulation mechanisms of light oil/condensate reservoirs, including: kerogen and oil cracking, oil charging process, distribution and occurrence phases, enrichment and preservation mechanisms, etc;
3. Case studies on commercial light oil/condensate reservoirs, including: deep/deep water reservoirs, shale oil reservoirs, multiple petroleum systems, etc;
4. Advancements in geochemical evaluation of light oil/condensate resources and recovery, including: evaluation of oil/condensate recoverable resource potentials, the CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR)/storage in light oil/condensate reservoirs, etc.

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Frontiers in Earth Science

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