Effect of non-uniform swelling on coal multiphysics during gas injection: The triangle approach

In current dual porosity/permeability models,there exists a fundamental assumption that the adsorption-induced swelling is distributed uniformly within the representative elementary volume (REV),irrespective of its internal structures and transient processes.However,both internal structures and transient processes can lead to the non-uniform swelling.In this study,we hypothesize that the non-uniform swelling is responsible for why coal permeability in experimental measurements is not only controlled by the effective stress but also is affected by the adsorption-induced swelling.We propose a concept of the swelling triangle composed of swelling paths to characterize the evolution of the non-uniform swelling and serve as a core link in coupled multiphysics.A swelling path is determined by a dimensionless volumetric ratio and a dimensionless swelling ratio.Different swelling paths have the same start and end point,and each swelling path represents a unique swelling case.The swelling path as the diagonal of the triangle represents the case of the uniform swelling while that as the two perpendicular boundaries represents the case of the localized swelling.The paths of all intermediate cases populate inside the triangle.The corresponding relations between the swelling path and the response of coal multiphysics are established by a non-uniform swelling coefficient.We define this method as the triangle approach and corresponding models as swelling path-based ones.The proposed concept and models are verified against a long-term experimental measurement of permeability and strains under constant effective stress.Our results demonstrate that during gas injection,coal multiphysics responses have a close dependence on the swelling path,and that in both future experiments and field predictions,this dependence must be considered.

Study on the disaster caused by the linkage failure of the residual coal pillar and rock stratum during multiple coal seam mining:mechanism of progressive and dynamic failure

Multi-seam mining often leads to the retention of a significant number of coal pillars for purposes such as protection,safety,or water isolation.However,stress concentration beneath these residual coal pillars can significantly impact their strength and stability when mining below them,potentially leading to hydraulic support failure,surface subsidence,and rock bursting.To address this issue,the linkage between the failure and instability of residual coal pillars and rock strata during multi-seam mining is examined in this study.Key controls include residual pillar spalling,safety factor(f.),local mine stiffness(LMS),and the post-peak stiffness(k)of the residual coal pillar.Limits separating the two forms of failure,progressive versus dynamic,are defined.Progressive failure results at lower stresses when the coal pillar transitions from indefinitely stable(f,>1.5)to failing(f,<1.5)when the coal pillar can no longer remain stable for an extended duration,whereas sud-den(unstable)failure results when the strength of the pillar is further degraded and fails.The transition in mode of failure is defined by the LMS/k ratio.Failure transitions from quiescent to dynamic as LMS/k.<1,which can cause chain pillar instability propagating throughout the mine.This study provides theoretical guidance to define this limit to instability of residual coal pillars for multi-seam mining in similar mines.

Modes of multi-mechanistic gas diffusion in shale matrix at varied effective stresses:Observations and analysis

Gas diffusion in the shale matrix has a dominant effect on late-stage production from shale gas reservoirs.However,adequate research on the mechanisms and contributions of gas diffusion for varied pore size populations in shale matrix under recreated in situ stress is lacking.We report gas-diffusion measurements under constant in situ stress but variable gas pressures for contrasting non-adsorbent(helium(He))and adsorbed(methane(CH_(4)))gases to investigate the impact of effective stress on the evolution of dominant mechanisms of diffusion.An intact sample replicates true pore-network topology and diffusion paths.An integrated diffusion model is proposed that combines the effects of slip flow,Knudsen flow,and surface diffusion to constrain the evolution of these flow regimes and their respective contributions to the observational data.Finally,a probability density function(PDF)is employed to separate the gas content distributions of macropores and micropores from the total gas content and to investigate gas contributions in various pores.The results reveal that the diffusion coefficients of both He and CH_(4) in macropores and micropores increase with gas pressure but decrease with increasing effective stress.The diffusion coefficients of He and CH_(4) are different in macropores but remain nearly the same in micropores.The diffusion coefficients of slip flow and surface diffusion increase with decreasing effective stress except for CH_(4) diffusion in the micropores,while the evolution of Knudsen diffusion shows the opposite trend.Slip flow plays a dominant role in He and CH_(4) diffusion within macropores(pore size 45 nm).Knudsen diffusion gradually becomes significant for He diffusion in the micropores(pore size 4 nm),conversely,for CH_(4) diffusion in the micropores,surface diffusion becomes significant.Related to gas production from reservoirs,the contributions of the micropores will increase gradually with the duration of gas recovery,indicating the significant role of gas diffusion in micropores to steady supply during latestage production.

Revaluating coal permeability-gas pressure relation under various gas pressure differential conditions

Identifying changes in coal permeability with gas pressure and accurately codifying mean efective stresses in laboratory samples are crucial in predicting gas-fow behavior in coal reservoirs. Traditionally, coal permeability to gas is assessed using the steady-state method, where the equivalent gas pressure in the coal is indexed to the average of upstream and downstream pressures of the coal, while ignoring the nonlinear gas pressure gradient along the gas fow path. For the fow of a compressible gas, the traditional method consistently underestimates the length/volume-averaged pressure and overestimates mean efective stress. The higher the pressure diferential within the sample, the greater the error between the true mean pressure for a compressible fuid and that assumed as the average between upstream and downstream pressures under typical reservoir conditions. A correction coefcient for the compressible fuid pressure asymptotes to approximately 1.3%, representing that the error in mean pressure and efective stress can be on the order of approximately 30%, particularly for highly pressure-sensitive permeabilities and compressibilities, further amplifying errors in evaluated reservoir properties. We utilized this volume-averaged pressure and efective stress to correct permeability and compressibility data reported in the literature. Both the corrected initial permeability and the corrected pore compressibility were found to be smaller than the uncorrected values, due to the underestimation of the true mean fuid pressure, resulting in an overestimation of reservoir permeability if not corrected. The correction coefcient for the initial permeability ranges from 0.6 to 0.1 (reservoir values are only approximately 40% to 90% of laboratory values), while the correction coefcient for pore compressibility remains at approximately 0.75 (reservoir values are only approximately 25% of laboratory value). Errors between the uncorrected and corrected parameters are quantifed under various factors, such as confning pressure, gas sorption, and temperature. By analyzing the evolutions of the initial permeability and pore compressibility, the coupling mechanisms of mechanical compression, adsorption swelling, and thermal expansion on the pore structure of the coal can be interpreted. These fndings can provide insights that are useful for assessing the sensitivity of coal permeability to gas pressure as truly representative of reservoir conditions.

页岩支撑裂缝中渗透率变化规律实验研究

在页岩气藏的压裂开发中,支撑裂缝的渗透率是影响裂缝导流能力和压裂增产效果的重要因素。通过实验手段,研究了吸附气体的溶胀作用和支撑剂的嵌入作用对Greenriver页岩支撑裂缝渗透率的影响。采用Pulse test实验方法,测量并对比了非吸附气体和吸附气体的渗透率。以He为代表性的非吸附性气体,实验测得其在花岗岩和页岩中的渗透率曲线为线性,渗透率随着有效应力的减小而增加,且支撑剂的嵌入作用使页岩中的渗透率明显降低;以CO_2为代表性的吸附性气体,实验测得其在页岩中的渗透率曲线呈典型的"U"型,这是由于CO_2溶胀作用和有效应力共同作用的结果,从而说明在页岩支撑裂缝中,溶胀作用同样对渗透率有显著影响;与He在页岩中的渗透率相比,相同压力下的CO_2渗透率更低,且在Langmuir压力值附近达到最小值。

Organic Geochemical and Petrographic Characteristics of the Coal Measure Source Rocks of Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Sag of the East China Sea Shelf Basin: Implications for Coal Measure Gas Potential

Coal measure source rocks, located in the Xihu Sag of the East China Sea Shelf Basin, were analyzed to define the hydrocarbon generation potential, organic geochemistry/petrology characteristics, and coal preservation conditions. The Pinghu source rocks in the Xihu Sag are mainly gas-prone accompany with condensate oil generation. The coals and shales of the Pinghu Formation are classified from "fair" to "excellent" source rocks with total organic carbon(TOC) contents ranging from 25.2% to 77.2% and 1.29% to 20.9%, respectively. The coals are richer in TOC and S1+S2 than the shales, indicating that the coals have more generation potential per unit mass. Moreover, the kerogen type of the organic matter consists of types Ⅱ-Ⅲ and Ⅲ, which the maturity Ro ranges from 0.59% to 0.83%. Petrographically, the coals and shales are dominated by vitrinite macerals(69.1%–96.8%) with minor proportions of liptinite(2.5%–17.55%) and inertinite(0.2%–6.2%). The correlation between maceral composition and S1+S2 indicates that the main contributor to the generation potential is vitrinite. Therefore, the coals and shales of the Pinghu Formation has good hydrocarbon generation potential, which provided a good foundation for coal measure gas accumulation. Furthermore, coal facies models indicates that the Pinghu coal was deposited in limno-telmatic environment under high water levels, with low tree density(mainly herbaceous) and with low-moderate nutrient supply. Fluctuating water levels and intermittent flooding during the deposition of peat resulted in the inter-layering of coal, shale and sandstone, which potentially providing favorable preservation conditions for coal measure gas.

Controlling effects of differential swelling index on evolution of coal permeability

Coal permeability measurements are normally conducted under the assumption that gas pressure in the matrix is equalized with that in fracture and that gas sorption-induced swelling/shrinking strain is uniformly distributed within the coal.However,the validity of this assumption has long been questioned and differential strain between the fracture strain and the bulk strain has long been considered as the primary reason for the inconsistency between experimental data and poroelasticity solutions.Although efforts have been made to incorporate the impact into coal permeability models,the fundamental nature of those efforts to split the matrix strain between fracture and coal bulk remains questionable.In this study,a new concept of differential swelling index(DSI)was derived to theoretically define the relation among sorption-induced strains of the coal bulk,fracture,and coal matrix at the equilibrium state.DSI was a function of the equilibrium pressure and its magnitudes were regulated by the Langmuir constants of both the matrix and the coal bulk.Furthermore,a spectrum of DSI-based coal permeability models was developed to explicitly consider the effect of differential strains.These models were verified with the experimental data under the conditions of uniaxial strain,constant confining pressure,and constant effective stress.

Perforation optimization of layer-penetration fracturing for commingling gas production in coal measure strata

Optimization of fracturing perforation is of great importance to the commingling gas production in coal measure strata.In this paper,a 3 D lattice algorithm hydraulic fracturing simulator was employed to study the effects of perforation position and length on hydraulic fracture propagation in coal measures of the Lin-Xing block,China.Based on field data,three lithologic combinations are simulated:1)a thick section of coal seam sandwiched by sandstones;2)a thin coal seam layer overlay by gas-bearing tight sandstone;3)two coal seams separated by a thin layer of sandstone.Our simulation shows that perforation position and length in multi-layer reservoirs play a major role in hydraulic fracture propagation.Achieving maximum stimulated volume requires consideration of lithologic sequence,coal seam thickness,stress states,and rock properties.To improve the combined gas production in coal measure strata,it is possible to simultaneously stimulate multiple coal seams or adjacent gas-bearing sandstones.In these cases,perforation location and length also significantly impact fracture propagation,and therefore should be carefully designed.Our simulation results using 3 D lattice algorithm are qualitatively consistent with laboratory physical simulation.3 D lattice models can be used to effectively simulate the fracture propagation through layers in coal measure strata.The numerical results provide guidance for perforation optimization in the hydraulic fracturing of coal measure strata.

Influence of fracture roughness on shear strength,slip stability and permeability:A mechanistic analysis by three-dimensional digital rock modeling

Subsurface fluid injections can disturb the effective stress regime by elevating pore pressure and potentially reactivate faults and fractures.Laboratory studies indicate that fracture rheology and permeability in such reactivation events are linked to the roughness of the fracture surfaces.In this study,we construct numerical models using discrete element method(DEM)to explore the influence of fracture surface roughness on the shear strength,slip stability,and permeability evolution during such slip events.For each simulation,a pair of analog rock coupons(three-dimensional bonded quartz particle analogs)representing a mated fracture is sheared under a velocity-stepping scheme.The roughness of the fracture is defined in terms of asperity height and asperity wavelength.Results show that(1)Samples with larger asperity heights(rougher),when sheared,exhibit a higher peak strength which quickly devolves to a residual strength after reaching a threshold shear displacement;(2)These rougher samples also exhibit greater slip stability due to a high degree of asperity wear and resultant production of wear products;(3)Long-term suppression of permeability is observed with rougher fractures,possibly due to the removal of asperities and redistribution of wear products,which locally reduces porosity in the dilating fracture;and(4)Increasing shear-parallel asperity wavelength reduces magnitudes of stress drops after peak strength and enhances fracture permeability,while increasing shear-perpendicular asperity wavelength results in sequential stress drops and a delay in permeability enhancement.This study provides insights into understanding of the mechanisms of frictional and rheological evolution of rough fractures anticipated during reactivation events.

Dynamic analysis of heat extraction rate by supercritical carbon dioxide in fractured rock mass based on a thermal-hydraulic-mechanics coupled model

Heat production from geothermal reservoirs is a typical heat transfer process involving a cold working fluid contacting a hot rock formation.Compared to the thermal-physical characteristics of water,supercritical CO_(2)(scCO_(2))has a higher heat storage capacity over a wide temperature-pressure range and may be favored as a heat transfer fluid.Singularly characteristic of scCO_(2)-based heat extraction is that the hydraulic-thermal properties of the scCO_(2) vary dramatically and dynamically with the spatial pressure gradient during unsteady-state flow along fracture.This highly nonlinear behavior presents a challenge in the accurate estimation of heat extraction efficiency in scCO_(2)-based EGS.In this paper,a thermal-h ydraulic-mechanical(THM)coupled model is developed by considering deformation of the fractured reservoir,non-Darcy flow and the varying thermal-physical properties of scCO_(2).The proposed model is validated by matching the modeling temperature distribution with published data.The results show that during continuous injection of scCO_(2),the fracture first widens and then narrows,ultimately reopening over the long term.The sequential fracture deformation behaviors are in response to the combined impacts of mechanical compression and thermally-induced deformation.By controlling the injection parameters of the scCO_(2),it is found that the heat extraction rate is positively correlated to its pore pressure or mass flow rate.The heat extraction rate can be significantly enhanced,when the inlet temperature of scCO_(2) is below its critical temperature.As a result,the heat increment recovered per unit mass of scCO_(2) decreases as the hot rock is gradually cooled.Meanwhile,the heat increment recovered per unit mass of scCO_(2) decreases by increasing the inlet temperature of scCO_(2) or its mass flow rate,but increases as the outlet pressure rises.Furthermore,multi-linear regression indicates that controlling the inlet temperature of the scCO_(2) can significantly improve the thermodynamic efficiency of heat extraction.

hale gas reservoir modeling and production evaluation considering complex gas transport mechanisms and dispersed distribution of kerogen

Stimulated shale reservoirs consist of kerogen,inorganic matter,secondary and hydraulic fractures.The dispersed distribution of kerogen within matrices and complex gas flow mechanisms make production evaluation challenging.Here we establish an analytical method that addresses kerogen-inorganic matter gas transfer,dispersed kerogen distribution,and complex gas flow mechanisms to facilitate evaluating gas production.The matrix element is defined as a kerogen core with an exterior inorganic sphere.Unlike most previous models,we merely use boundary conditions to describe kerogen-inorganic matter gas transfer without the instantaneous kerogen gas source term.It is closer to real inter-porosity flow conditions between kerogen and inorganic matter.Knudsen diffusion,surface diffusion,adsorption/desorption,and slip corrected flow are involved in matrix gas flow.Matrix-fracture coupling is realized by using a seven-region linear flow model.The model is verified against a published model and field data.Results reveal that inorganic matrices serve as a major gas source especially at early times.Kerogen provides limited contributions to production even under a pseudo-steady state.Kerogen properties’influence starts from the late matrix-fracture inter-porosity flow regime,while inorganic matter properties control almost all flow regimes except the early-mid time fracture linear flow regime.The contribution of different linear flow regions is also documented.

Rapid decompression and desorption induced energetic failure in coal

In this study, laboratory experiments are conducted to investigate the rapid decompression and desorption induced energetic failure in coal using a shock tube apparatus. Coal specimens are recovered from Colorado at a depth of 610 m. The coal specimens are saturated with the strong sorbing gas CO2 for a certain period and then the rupture disc is suddenly broken on top of the shock tube to generate a shock wave propagating upwards and a rarefaction wave propagating downwards through the specimen.This rapid decompression and desorption has the potential to cause energetic fragmentation in coal.Three types of behaviors in coal after rapid decompression are found, i.e. degassing without fragmentation, horizontal fragmentation, and vertical fragmentation. We speculate that the characteristics of fracture network（e.g. aperture, spacing, orientation and stiffness） and gas desorption play a role in this dynamic event as coal can be considered as a dual porosity, dual permeability, dual stiffness sorbing medium. This study has important implications in understanding energetic failure process in underground coal mines such as coal gas outbursts.

Evolution and analysis of gas sorption-induced coal fracture strain data

Although coal swelling/shrinking during coal seam gas extraction has been studied for decades,its impacts on the evolution of permeability are still not well understood.This has long been recognized,but no satisfactory solutions have been found.In previous studies,it is normally assumed that the matrix swelling/shrinking strain can be split between the fracture and the bulk coal and that the splitting coefficient remains unchanged during gas sorption.In this study,we defined the fracture strain as a function of permeability change ratio and back-calculated the fracture strains at different states.In the equilibrium state,the gas pressure is steady within the coal;in the non-equilibrium state,the gas pressure changes with time.For equilibrium states,the back-calculated fracture strains are extremely large and may be physically impossible in some case.For non-equilibrium states,two experiments were conducted:one for a natural coal sample and the other for a reconstructed one.For the fractured coal,the evolution of permeability is primarily controlled by the transition of coal fracture strain or permeability from local matrix swelling effect to global effect.For the reconstituted coal,the evolution of pore strain or permeability is primarily controlled by the global effect.

Effect of mineralogy on friction-dilation relationships for simulated faults:Implications for permeability evolution in caprock faults

This paper experimentally explores the frictional sliding behavior of two simulated gouges:one,a series of quartz–smectite mixtures,and the other,powdered natural rocks,aiming to evaluate and codify the effect of mineralogy on gouge dilation and frictional strength,stability,and healing.Specifically,velocity-stepping and slide-hold-slide experiments were performed in a double direct shear configuration to analyze frictional constitutive parameters at room temperature,under normal stresses of 10,20,and 40 MPa.Gouge dilation was measured based on the applied step-wise changes in shear velocity.The frictional response of the quartz–smectite mixtures and powdered natural rocks are affected by their phyllosilicate content.Frictional strength and healing rates decrease with increasing phyllosilicate content,and at 20 wt.%a transition from velocity-weakening to velocity-strengthening behavior was noted.For both suites of gouges,dilation is positively correlated with frictional strength and healing rates,and negatively correlated with frictional stability.Changes in the permeability of gouge-filled faults were estimated from changes in mean porosity,indexed through measured magnitudes of gouge dilation.This combined analysis implies that the reactivation of caprock faults filled with phyllosilicaterich gouges may have a strong influence on permeability evolution in caprock faults.

Near-source characteristics of two-phase gas-solid outbursts in roadways

Coal and gas outbursts compromise two-phase gas-solid mixtures as they propagate as shock waves and flows from their sources.Propagation is influenced by the form of the outburst,proximity to source,the structure and form of the transmitting roadways and the influence of obstacles.The following characterizes the propagation of coal and gas outbursts as two-phase gas-solid flows proximal to source where the coupled effects of pulverized coal and gas flows dominate behavior.The characteristics of shock wave propagation and attenuation were systematically examined for varied roadway geometries using experiments and numerical models.The results demonstrate that the geometry of roadway obstructions is significant and may result in partial compression and sometimes secondary overpressurization in blocked and small comer roadways leading to significant attenuation of outburst shock waves.The shock waves attenuate slowly in both straight and abruptly expanding roadways and more significantly in T-shaped roadways.The most significant attenuation appears in small angle comers and bifurcations in roadways with the largest attenuation occurring in blocked roadways.These results provide basic parameters for simplifying transport in complex roadway networks in the far-field,and guidance for the design of coal and gas outburst prevention facilities and emergency rescue.

Frictional stability of Longmaxi shale gouges and its implication for deep seismic potential in the southeastern Sichuan Basin

Microearthquakes accompanying shale gas recovery highlight the importance of exploring the frictional and stability properties of shale gouges.Aiming to reveal the influencing factors on fault stability,this paper explores the impact of mineral compositions,effective stress and temperature on the frictional stability of Longmaxi shale gouges in deep reservoirs located in the Luzhou area,southeastern Sichuan Basin.Eleven shear experiments were conducted to define the frictional strength and stability of five shale gouges.The specific experimental conditions were as follows:temperatures:90–270°C;a confining stress:95 MPa;and pore fluid pressures:25–55 MPa.The results show that all five shale gouges generally display high frictional strength with friction coefficients ranging from 0.60 to 0.70 at the aforementioned experiment condition of pressures,and temperatures.Frictional stability is significantly affected by temperature and mineral compositions,but is insensitive to variation in pore fluid pressures.Fault instability is enhanced at higher temperatures(especially at>200°C)and with higher tectosilicate/carbonate contents.The results demonstrate that the combined effect of mineral composition and temperature is particularly important for induced seismicity during hydraulic fracturing in deep shale reservoirs.

Nanoscale mechanical property variations concerning mineral composition and contact of marine shale

Mechanical properties of shales are key parameters influencing hydrocarbon production – impacting borehole stability, hydraulic fracture extension and microscale variations in in situ stress. We use Ordovician shale(Sichuan Basin, China) as a type-example to characterize variations in mineral particle properties at microscale including particle morphology, form of contact and spatial distribution via mineral liberation analysis(MLA) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Deformation-based constitutive models are then built using finite element methods to define the impact of various architectures of fracture and mineral distributions at nanometer scale on the deformation characteristics at macroscale.Relative compositions of siliceous, calcareous and clay mineral particles are shown to be the key factors influencing brittleness. Shales with similar mineral composition show a spectrum of equivalent medium mechanical properties due to differing particle morphology and mineral heterogeneity. The predominance of small particles and/or point-point contacts are conducive to brittle failure, in general, and especially so when quartz-rich. Fracture morphology, length and extent of filling all influence shale deformability. High aspect-ratio fractures concentrate stress at fracture tips and are conducive to extension, as when part-filled by carbonate minerals. As fracture spacing increases, stress transfer between adjacent fractures weakens, stress concentrations are amplified and fracture extension is favored. The higher the fractal dimension of the fracture and heterogeneity of the host the more pervasive the fractures. Moreover, when fractures extend, their potential for intersection and interconnection contributes to a reduction in strength and the promotion of brittle failure. Thus, these results provide important theoretical insights into the role of heterogeneity on the deformability and strength of shale reservoirs with practical implications for their stimulation and in the recovery of hydrocarbons from them.

Effect of adsorption-induced matrix swelling on coal permeability evolution of micro-fracture with the real geometry

Gas transport in coal induces effective stress variation,matrix swelling/shrinkage,and significantly affects matrix and fracture deformation,resulting in porosity and permeability evolution.However,the heterogeneity and anisotropy of coal are neglected in dual porosity models,which can lead to the deviation from the real physical mechanisms.To uncover the permeability evolution,especially the influence of dynamic matrix-fracture interaction for real fracture distribution,advanced virtual simulation is proposed.In this study,real fracture geometry is taken into account in the physical model based on the CT-scan image,while the mathematical models for coal deformation and gas flow are established.Our calculations are verified against a long-term experimental data under the same boundary condition.Accordingly,the real matrix-fracture interaction caused by adsorption-induced matrix deformation has been visually exhibited,and some new insight into the behavior of fracture permeability in real materials is offered.The results indicate the non-uniform distribution of fracture geometry is responsible for the nonmonotonic change of permeability.It also found that injection pressure,Langmuir strain constant and initial matrix permeability have important influences on the fracture permeability evolution.This research provides valuable insight into the understanding of the permeability change for the real fracture spatial distribution in coal.

Coupled hydro-mechanical evolution of fracture permeability in sand injectite intrusions

Sandstone“injectite”intrusions are generally developed by the fluidization of weakly cemented sandstones and their subsequent injection into fractured reservoirs.In this work,a continuum coupled hydromechanical model TOUGH-FLAC3D is applied to simulate the discrete fracture network in large-scale sand injectite complexes.A sand production constitutive model is incorporated to consider the formation of sand through plastic deformation and its influence on evolution of fracture permeability.Overpressures in the fluidized sand slurry drives the injection with sand dikes intruded upwards,typically into previously low permeability“tight”mudstone formations.The contrast in poroelastic properties of the underlying weak sandstone and overlying injectite receptor directly affects the evolution of fracture aperture both during and after intrusion.Fluid drainage into the unconsolidated matrix may reduce the extent of fracture aperture growth,through the formation of shear bands.The results of this work have broad implications related to the emplacement of sandstone intrusions and subsequent hydrocarbon accumulation,maturation and then production.

Evolution of pore systems in low-maturity oil shales during thermal upgrading--Quantified by dynamic SEM and machine learning

In-situ upgrading by heating is feasible for low-maturity shale oil,where the pore space dynamically evolves.We characterize this response for a heated substrate concurrently imaged by SEM.We systematically follow the evolution of pore quantity,size(length,width and cross-sectional area),orientation,shape(aspect ratio,roundness and solidity)and their anisotropy—interpreted by machine learning.Results indicate that heating generates new pores in both organic matter and inorganic minerals.However,the newly formed pores are smaller than the original pores and thus reduce average lengths and widths of the bedding-parallel pore system.Conversely,the average pore lengths and widths are increased in the bedding-perpendicular direction.Besides,heating increases the cross-sectional area of pores in low-maturity oil shales,where this growth tendency fluctuates at<300℃ but becomes steady at>300℃.In addition,the orientation and shape of the newly-formed heating-induced pores follow the habit of the original pores and follow the initial probability distributions of pore orientation and shape.Herein,limited anisotropy is detected in pore direction and shape,indicating similar modes of evolution both bedding-parallel and bedding-normal.We propose a straightforward but robust model to describe evolution of pore system in low-maturity oil shales during heating.