Nanopore structure comparison between shale oil and shale gas:examples from the Bakken and Longmaxi Formations

In order to analyze and compare the differences in pore structures between shale gas and shale oil formations, a few samples from the Longmaxi and Bakken Formations were collected and studied using X-ray diffraction, LECO TOC measurement, gas adsorption and field-emission scanning electron microscope. The results show that samples from the Bakken Formation have a higher TOC than those from the Longmaxi Formation. The Longmaxi Formation has higher micropore volume and larger micropore surface area and exhibited a smaller average distribution of microsize pores compared to the Bakken Formation. Both formations have similar meso-macropore volume. The Longmaxi Formation has a much larger meso-macropore surface area, which is corresponding to a smaller average meso-macropore size. CO_2 adsorption data processing shows that the pore size of the majority of the micropores in the samples from the Longmaxi Formation is less than 1 nm, while the pore size of the most of the micropores in the samples from the Bakken Formation is larger than 1 nm. Both formations have the same number of pore clusters in the 2–20 nm range, but the Bakken Formation has two additional pore size groups with mean pore size diameters larger than 20 nm. Multifractal analysis of pore size distribution curves that was derived from gas adsorption indicates that the samples from the Longmaxi Formation have more significant micropore heterogeneity and less meso-macropore heterogeneity. Abundant micropores as well as mesomacropores exist in the organic matter in the Longmaxi Formation, while the organic matter of the Bakken Formation hosts mainly micropores.

Types of Karst-fractured and Porous Reservoirs in China's Carbonates and the Nature of the Tahe Oilfield in the Tarim Basin

Almost all the oil and gas reservoirs developed in marine sedimentary strata of China have undergone processes of multi-phase reservoir formation and later modification. The irregular reservoirs are classified into three types as the Naxi, Tahe and Renqiu ones, increasing successively in the development degree of karstificated pores and fissures and the connection degree of independent reservoirs. In these reservoirs, the unity in the fluid feature, pressure and oil-gas-water interface also increases successively from the Naxi to the Renqiu type. The main body of Ordovician reservoirs of the Tahe Oilfield in the Tarim Basin is a network pool rather than a stratified, massive, stratigraphically-unconformed or weathering-crust one. The fluid nature of oil, gas and water, the interface positions and the pressures, as well as the dynamic conditions of fluids within the reservoirs during the production are all different from those in stratified or massive oil and gas reservoirs. Carbonates in the Akekule uplift and the Tahe Oilfield are assemblages of various types of reservoirs, which have an overall oil-bearing potential and obvious uneven distribution. Testing and producing tests are the major means to evaluate this type of reservoirs and acid fracturing improvement is a key link in petroleum exploration and development.

Occurrence and influence of residual gas released by crush methods on pore structure in Longmaxi shale in Yangtze Plate, Southern China

The composition of gas released under vacuum by crushing from the gas shale of Longmaxi Formation in Upper Yangtze Plate,Southern China was systematically investigated in this study.The effect of residual gas release on pore structures was checked using low-pressure nitrogen adsorption techniques.The influence of particle size on the determination of pore structure characteristics was considered.Using the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill method from low-pressure nitrogen adsorption data,the fractal dimensions were identified at relative pressures of 0‒0.5 and 0.5‒1 as D1 and D2,respectively,and the evolution of fractal features related to gas release was also discussed.The results showed that a variety component of residual gas was released from all shale samples,containing hydrocarbon gas of CH4(29.58%‒92.53%),C2H6(0.97%‒2.89%),C3H8(0.01%‒0.65%),and also some non-hydrocarbon gas such as CO2(3.54%‒67.09%)and N2(1.88%‒8.07%).The total yield of residual gas was in a range from 6.1μL/g to 17.0μL/g related to rock weight.The geochemical and mineralogical analysis suggested that the residual gas yield was positively correlated with quartz(R^2=0.5480)content.The residual gas released shale sample has a higher surface area of 17.20‒25.03 m^2/g and the nitrogen adsorption capacity in a range of 27.32‒40.86 ml/g that is relatively higher than the original samples(with 9.22‒16.30 m^2/g and 10.84‒17.55 ml/g).Clearer hysteresis loop was observed for the original shale sample in nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms than residual gas released sample.Pore structure analysis showed that the proportions of micro-,meso-and macropores were changed as micropores decreased while meso-and macropores increased.The fractal dimensions D1 were in range from 2.5466 to 2.6117 and D2 from 2.6998 to 2.7119 for the residual gas released shale,which is smaller than the original shale.This factor may indicate that the pore in residual gas released shale was more homogeneous than the original shale.The results indicated that both residual gas and their pore space have few contributions to shale gas production and effective reservoir evaluation.The larger fragments samples of granular rather than powdery smaller than 60 mesh fraction of shale seem to be better for performing effective pore structure analysis to the Longmaxi shale.

Sediment permeability change on natural gas hydrate dissociation induced by depressurization

The permeability of a natural gas hydrate reservoir is a critical parameter associated with gas hydrate production.Upon producing gas from a hydrate reservoir via depressurization,the permeability of sediments changes in two ways with hydrate dissociation,increasing with more pore space released from hydrate and decreasing due to pore compression by stronger effective stress related to depressurization.In order to study the evolution of sediment permeability during the production process with the depressurization method,an improved pore network model(PNM)method is developed to establish the permeability change model.In this model,permeability change induced by hydrate dissociation is investigated under hydrate occurrence morphology of pore filling and grain coating.The results obtained show that hydrate occurrence in sediment pore is with significant influence on permeability change.Within a reasonable degree of pore compression in field trial,the effect of pore space release on the reservoir permeability is greater than that of pore compression.The permeability of hydrate containing sediments keeps increasing in the course of gas production,no matter with what hydrate occurrence in sediment pore.

Experimental study on characteristics of pore water conversion during methane hydrates formation in unsaturated sand

Understanding the pore water conversion characteristics during hydrate formation in porous media is important to study the accumulation mechanism of marine gas hydrate.In this study,low-field NMR was used to study the pore water conversion characteristics during methane hydrate formation in unsaturated sand samples.Results show that the signal intensity of T_(2) distribution isn’t affected by sediment type and pore pressure,but is affected by temperature.The increase in the pressure of hydrogen-containing gas can cause the increase in the signal intensity of T_(2) distribution.The heterogeneity of pore structure is aggravated due to the hydrate formation in porous media.The water conversion rate fluctuates during the hydrate formation.The sand size affects the water conversion ratio and rate by affecting the specific surface of sand in unsaturated porous media.For the fine sand sample,the large specific surface causes a large gas-water contact area resulting in a higher water conversion rate,but causes a large water-sand contact area resulting in a low water conversion ratio(C_(w)=96.2%).The clay can reduce the water conversion rate and ratio,especially montmorillonite(C_(w)=95.8%).The crystal layer of montmorillonite affects the pore water conversion characteristics by hindering the conversion of interlayer water.

Organic matter occurrence and pore-forming mechanisms in lacustrine shales in China

The evolution of pore structure in shales is affected by both the thermal evolution of organic matter(OM)and by inorganic diagenesis,resulting in a wide variety of pore structures.This paper examines the OM distribution in lacustrine shales and its influence on pore structure,and describes the process of porosity development.The principal findings are:(i)Three distribution patterns of OM in lacustrine shales are distinguished;laminated continuous distribution,clumped distribution,and stellate scattered distribution.The differences in total organic carbon(TOC)content,free hydrocarbon content(S_(1)),and OM porosity among these distribution patterns are discussed.(ii)Porosity is negatively correlated with TOC and plagioclase content and positively correlated with quartz,dolomite,and clay mineral content.(iii)Pore evolution in lacustrine shales is characterized by a sequence of decreasing-increasing-decreasing porosity,followed by continuously increasing porosity until a relatively stable condition is reached.(iv)A new model for evaluating porosity in lacustrine shales is proposed.Using this model,the organic and inorganic porosity of shales in the Permian Lucaogou Formation are calculated to be 2.5%-5%and 1%-6.3%,respectively,which correlate closely with measured data.These findings may provide a scientific basis and technical support for the sweet spotting in lacustrine shales in China.

Oil/Gas Migration and Aggregation in Intra-Continental Orogen Based on Numerical Simulation: A Case Study from the Dabashan Orocline, Central China

Geofluid, driven by tectonic stress, can migrate and aggregate in geological body. Thus, numerical simulation has been widely used to rebuild paleo-tectonic stress field and probe oil/gas （one type of geofluid） migration and aggregation. Based on geological mapping, structural data, and mechanical parameters of rocks, we reconstruct the traces for gas/oil migration and aggregation in Dabashan intra-continental orogen using numerical simulation. The study shows that gas/oil, obviously dominated by late Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous paleo-tectonic stress field that is characterized by NE-SW shortening in the Dabashan thrust belt and SW-emanating shortening in its foreland belt, massively migrate from the Dabashan thrust belt to its foreland belt, that is, NE to SW, resulting in the formation of some probable favorable areas for oil/gas mainly along the Tiexi -Wuxi fault, in some superposed structure （e.g., Zhenba , Wanyuan , Huangjinkou , and Tongnanba areas）, and in the Zigui Basin. Thus, our study shows that numerical simulation can be effectively applied to study oil/gas migration and aggregation in intra-continental orogen and provided some significant evidences for oil/gas exploration.

黔东三都-丹寨地区寒武系斜坡相碳酸盐岩的储集性

贵州省东部三都、丹寨地区中上寒武统富藻碳酸盐岩是典型的斜坡沉积 ,其在沉积后漫长的地质历史时期内 ,经受了诸多成岩环境的改造 ,发生了极大的成岩变化 ,最大的成岩变化为咸水云化 ,其他的成岩作用有压实作用、重结晶作用、压溶作用、有机溶解作用、埋藏云化作用、胶结作用及硅化作用等。成岩作用不仅使岩石 (或沉积物 )的矿物成分、结构组分、构造等发生程度不同的变化 ,更重要的是使原岩的储集性能发生很大的变化 ,即对原生孔隙或堵塞、或残留、或扩大 ,而且还可产生一系列的成岩孔缝 (次生孔缝 ) ,这些次生孔、缝对岩石储集性的良化 ,尤其是对碳酸盐岩是至关重要的。由于斜坡沉积埋藏速度快 ,较快进入埋藏成岩环境 ,所以深溶作用 (有机溶解作用 )是该地区最主要的成孔成岩作用 ,所不同的是 :丹寨剖面该种作用较强 ,而且孔内大部分灌入沥青 ,充分说明其是聚集期孔隙 ;而三都剖面这种孔隙相对较少。总之 ,这些富藻的斜坡相碳酸盐岩经过埋藏溶解作用而形成与沥青伴生的各种溶孔 ,从而使岩层具有较好的含油气性。

自聚集型聚合物微球调驱物理模拟实验

高含水老油田目前主要采用聚合物微球深部调驱技术进行控水稳产,但效果并不理想,为了解决普通聚合物微球与孔喉匹配性差、封堵能力有限的技术问题,本文研制了自聚集型聚合物微球NEPU-WMJ与NEPU-NMJ,通过高速冷冻离心机、光学显微镜对微球的物化性能进行评价,通过长填砂管驱替及双管并联法研究了微球孔喉配伍性、剖面改善效果和驱油效果。研究结果表明:相较于NMKY、NM、WM与YHM微球,自聚集型聚合物微球NEPU-WMJ与NEPU-NMJ的膨胀性能、长期稳定性能较好,在120℃下老化4~6 d后,NEPU-WMJ的平均粒径从2.57μm增至44μm,NEPU-NMJ的平均粒径从0.08μm增至89μm;在120℃下NEPU-WMJ可维持30 d左右稳定,NEPU-NMJ则超过90 d依然稳定。自聚集型聚合物微球在渗透率100×10^(-3)~1000×10^(-3)μm^(2)的岩心中均可实现深部运移,剖面改善能力强。在温度为95℃、渗透率级差为5和40的条件下,有效提高总采收率24%以上。在高温环境下,微球的自聚集作用可有效封堵大孔道,启动低渗层,实现微观调驱,大幅度提高采收率。

多元驱油剂中聚合物分子聚集体与储层适应性

化学驱取得增油降水效果的基础是驱油剂与储层间具有良好适应性。为了深入探究多元驱油剂中聚合物分子聚集体与储层适应性,通过驱油剂物化性能测试及流动性实验,在开展聚合物溶液和多元驱油剂中聚合物分子聚集体尺寸Dh及其影响因素研究基础上,进一步评价了Dh与储层岩石孔喉匹配关系。研究结果表明:聚合物相对分子质量、碱、表面活性剂和溶剂水矿化度等因素会改变聚合物分子聚集体尺寸Dh,也对驱油剂与储层岩石适应性造成影响;与人造岩心相比较,驱油剂在天然岩心中滞留量较大,由此产生的附加渗流阻力和稳定注入压力值也较大,但并不影响驱油剂与储层岩石间匹配关系;依据目标区油层累计厚度达到70%时对应最低渗透率平均值,对照驱油剂渗透率极限值可以确定驱油剂中聚合物相对分子质量。研究成果对提高化学驱技术应用效果具有重要理论意义。

Theory, Technology and Practice of Unconventional Petroleum Geology

0 INTRODUCTION The breakthroughs in unconventional petroleum have a great impact on world petroleum industry and innovation in petroleum geology(Dou et al,2022;Jia,2017;Zou et al.,2015b,2014a;Yerkin,2012;Pollastro,2007;Schmoker,1995).The exploration and development evolution from conventional petroleum to unconventional petroleum and more and more frequent industrial activities of exploring petroleum inside sources kitchen have deepened theoretical understanding of unconventional petroleum geology and promoted technical research and development(Jia et al.,2021,2017;Jin et al.,2021;Zhao W Z et al.,2020;Ma Y S et al.,2018,2012;Zou et al.,2018b,2016,2009;Dai et al.,2012).We have introduced and extended the theory of continuous hydrocarbon accumulation since 2008 and published several papers/books(in Chinese and English)with respect to unconventional petroleum geology since 2009,basically forming the theoretical framework for this discipline(Yang et al.,2022a,2021a,2019a,,2015a;Zou et al.,2019c,2017b,2014a,,2013a).In this paper,we present the background of unconventional petroleum geology,review the latest theoretical and technological progress in unconventional petroleum geology,introduce relevant thinking and practices in China,and explore the pathway of unconventional petroleum revolution and multi-energy coordinated development in super energy basins,hopefully to promote the unconventional petroleum geology and industry development.