Development review and the prospect of oil shale in-situ catalysis conversion technology

As an unconventional resource, oil shale possesses abundant reserves and significant potential for industrial applications. The rational and efficient development of oil shale resources holds immense importance in reducing national energy demand. In-situ catalytic technology, characterized by its high efficiency, low pollution, and minimal energy consumption, represents a key direction for future oil shale development. This paper provides a comprehensive review of research progress in in-situ oil shale mining technology, oil shale pyrolysis catalysts, the pyrolysis mechanism of kerogen, and the compatibility of different heating processes and catalysts. Furthermore, the paper proposes future research directions and prospects for oil shale in-situ catalytic technology, including reservoir modification, highefficiency catalyst synthesis, injection processes, and high-efficiency heating technology. These insights serve as valuable technical references for the advancement of oil shale in-situ catalytic technology.

In situ modification of heavy oil catalyzed by nanosized metal-organic framework at mild temperature and its mechanism

Two catalysts, nano-sized cobalt-metal-organic framework(Co-MOF) and nickel(Ni)-MOF, were successfully prepared by the modification method. Tetralin(C10H12) was used as the hydrogen donor for the catalytic cracking and hydrogenation modification study of the dehydrated crude oil from the Shengli Oilfield. The optimal reaction conditions were determined through orthogonal experiments, and the components of the crude oil and modified oil samples were analyzed. The results revealed that the nanoMOF catalysts were successfully prepared and exhibited high catalytic activity. They could catalyze the cracking of large molecules in heavy oil at mild temperatures(<300°C), leading to the decomposition of the hydrogen donor. When the mass fraction of the catalyst was 0.2%, the mass fraction of the hydrogen donor was 1%, and the reaction temperature was 280°C, the Ni-MOF showed the best catalytic viscosity reduction effect. It could reduce the viscosity of heavy oil at 50°C from 15761.9 m Pa.s to 1266.2 m Pa.s,with a viscosity reduction rate of 91.97%. The modification effect of Co-MOF was the next best, which could reduce the viscosity of heavy oil to 2500.1 m Pa.s with a viscosity reduction rate of 84.14%. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed a strong interaction force between the MOF surface and asphaltene molecules. In the process of heavy-oil catalytic hydrogenation, the nano-MOF catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity. On the one hand, the empty d orbitals outside the metal atoms in the catalyst could polarize the carbon atoms in the organic matter, accelerating the breaking of long chains. On the other hand, the metal atoms in the catalyst could bond with the carbon σ bonds, breaking the carbon-carbon bonds. This disrupted the structure of the recombined components in the crude oil, irreversibly reducing the viscosity of the heavy oil and improving its fluidity.

Influence of Bedding and Mineral Composition on Mechanical Properties and Its Implication for Hydraulic Fracturing of Shale Oil Reservoirs

The premise of hydraulic fracturing is to have an accurate and detailed understanding of the rock mechanical properties and fracture propagation law of shale reservoirs. In this paper,a comprehensive evaluation of the mechanical properties of the shale oil reservoir in the south of Songliao Basin is carried out. Based on the experiments and the in-situ stress analysis, the fracture propagation law of three types of shale reservoirs is obtained,and the suggestions for fracturing are put forward. The results have shown that the fracture propagation of pure shale and low mature reservoir is easy to open along the bedding plane under compression loading,which is greatly influenced by the bedding. Sand-bearing shale is slightly better,the fractures of which are not easy to open along the bedding plane. The mechanical experimental results show that all the samples have the characteristics of low compressive strength,low Young’s modulus and strong anisotropy,indicating that the shale oil reservoir is certain plastic,which is related to its high clay mineral content and controlled by the bedding development. Compared with pure shale and low mature shale,the sandbearing shale has less clay content and less developed bedding,which maybe the main reason for its slightly better brittleness. Overall,the expansion of hydraulic fracture is controlled by in-situ stress and bedding. Because of the development of bedding,it is easy to form horizontal fractures. Thus it is not suitable for horizontal well fracturing.Because of the high content of clay minerals,the applicability of conventional slick hydraulic fracturing fluid is poor. It is suggested to use vertical well or directional well to carry out volume fracturing. In this way,the effect of bedding can be effectively used to open and connect the bedding and form a larger fracture network.

How argillaceous reservoirs exhibit better quality than silty mudstones?Anomalous behavior of shale gas-bearing properties of continental fine-grained sediments in Southwest China and its possible forcing mechanisms

Achieving a thorough understanding of how primary sedimentary granularity drives considerable heterogeneity in internal reservoir attributes of terrigenous fine-grained deposits is of great significance.We investigated the quantitative differentiation and its corresponding driving forces of physical reservoir properties and pore-structure characteristics of silty-mud sediments in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation(SW China)using a multi-method approach.The results show that the micro-mesopore volume and surface area of mudstones/shales are apparently higher than those of silty mudstones and a remarkable threefold rise in average permeability also presents.Extensively distributed bitumen pores occurring mostly along brittle mineral grains or forming clay-organic complexes make considerable contributions to shrinking microcracks.Furthermore,an evidently higher concentration of clay minerals in mudstone/shale reservoirs is primarily responsible for development of the two types of clay intercrystalline pores distributed along grain aggregates and between well-oriented platelets.These two major causes facilitate the formation of micro-bedding fractures/non-bedding micro fractures and connected fracture and pore-fracture networks,and also high-quality argillaceous reservoirs by strongly enhancing storage spaces and seepage capacities.Finally,a conceptual model is established for interpreting a differential reservoir-forming mechanism and corresponding two-sided effects on petrophysical and reservoir quality properties for continental silty-mud sediments.

Visualization of Water Plugging Displacement with Foam/Gel Flooding in Internally Heterogeneous Reservoirs

During the displacement of water plugging with binary flooding in internally heterogeneous reservoirs,it is essential to understand the distributions of remaining oil as well as the oil displacement mechanisms at different stages.In this study,two types of internally heterogeneous systems,i.e.,vertical and horizontal wells are investigated experimentally through a microscopic approach.The results show that plugging agent types have a greater impact on oil recovery than well types,and foam injection can enhance oil recovery more effectively than gel injection.Additionally,the injection sequence of plugging agents significantly affects oil displacement efficiency.Injecting gel after foam is more beneficial.According to the present results,the main formation mechanisms of remaining oil in each displacement stage are influenced by:capillary force,viscous force,inertial force,shear force,microscopic fingering&channeling.