An overview of the study on formation mechanism of volcanic reservoirs

Volcanic reservoirs have become a new target of oil and gas exploration in recent years along with the breakthroughs in exploration and development of volcanic reservoirs. On the basis of investigation of the research results of volcanic reservoirs at home and abroad, this paper summarizes the types and geneses of reservoir space, the evolution of reservoir space and the controlling factors of reservoir formation. Volcanic reservoir is a result of common effects of internal and external causes. Internal causes include lithology, lithofacies and eruption environment; and external causes contain tectonism and diagenism. Internal causes determine the formation and distribution of reservoirs and the development of reservoir space; external causes reform reservoir properties. Some problems in the research of volcanic reservoir genesis are pointed out and the scope of future research is proposed in light of these problems.