The Pabdeh Formation represents organic matter enrichment in some oil fields,which can be considered a source rock.This study is based on the Rock–Eval,Iatroscan,and electron microscopy imaging results before and aft...The Pabdeh Formation represents organic matter enrichment in some oil fields,which can be considered a source rock.This study is based on the Rock–Eval,Iatroscan,and electron microscopy imaging results before and after heating the samples.We discovered this immature shale that undergoes burial and diagenesis,in which organic matter is converted into hydro-carbons.Primary migration is the process that transports hydrocarbons in the source rock.We investigated this phenomenon by developing a model that simulates hydrocarbon generation and fluid pressure during kerogen-to-hydrocarbon conversion.Microfractures initially formed at the tip/edge of kerogen and were filled with hydrocarbons,but as catagenesis progressed,the pressure caused by the volume increase of kerogen decreased due to hydrocarbon release.The transformation of solid kerogen into low-density bitumen/oil increased the pressure,leading to the development of damage zones in the source rock.The Pabdeh Formation’s small porethroats hindered effective expulsion,causing an increase in pore fluid pressure inside the initial microfractures.The stress accumulated due to hydrocarbon production,reaching the rock’s fracture strength,further contributed to damage zone development.During the expansion process,microfractures preferentially grew in low-strength pathways such as lithology changes,laminae boundaries,and pre-existing microfractures.When the porous pressure created by each kerogen overlapped,individual microfractures interconnected,forming a network of microfractures within the source rock.This research sheds light on the complex interplay between temperature,hydrocarbon generation,and the development of expulsion fractures in the Pabdeh Formation,providing valuable insights for understanding and optimizing hydrocarbon extraction in similar geological settings.展开更多
The significance of source rocks for oil and gas accumulation has been indisputably acknowledged.Moreover,it has been gradually realized that there is difference between hydrocarbon generation capacity and hydrocarbon...The significance of source rocks for oil and gas accumulation has been indisputably acknowledged.Moreover,it has been gradually realized that there is difference between hydrocarbon generation capacity and hydrocarbon expulsion capacity,and this has prompted research on hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency.However,these studies dominantly highlight the results of hydrocarbon expulsion,and investigation into the corresponding process and mechanism is primarily from a macroscopic perspective.Despite its wide acceptance as the most direct hydrocarbon expulsion mode,hydrocarbon expulsion through micro-fractures is still not sufficiently understood.Therefore,this study obtains observations and performs experiments on two types of source rocks(mudstones and shales)of the Chang 7 oil group of the Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin,China.Microscopy reveals that organic matter is non-uniformly distributed in both types of source rocks.Specifically,mudstones are characterized by a cluster-like organic matter distribution,whereas shales are characterized by a layered organic matter distribution.Thermal evolution simulation experiments demonstrate that the hydrocarbon generation process is accompanied by the emergence of micro-fractures,which are favorable for hydrocarbon expulsion.Moreover,based on the theories of rock physics and fracture mechanics,this study establishes micro-fracture development models for both types of source rocks,associated with the calculation of the fracture pressure that is needed for the initiation of fracture development.Furthermore,the relationship between the fluid pressure,fracture pressure,and micro-fracture expansion length during micro-fracture development is quantitatively explored,which helps identify the micro-fracture expansion length.The results indicate that the development of micro-fractures is commonly impacted by the morphology and distribution pattern of the organic matter as well as the mechanical properties of the source rocks.The micro-fractures in turn further affect the hydrocarbon expulsion capacity of the source rocks.The results of this study are expected to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the exploration and exploitation of tight oil and shale oil.展开更多
文摘The Pabdeh Formation represents organic matter enrichment in some oil fields,which can be considered a source rock.This study is based on the Rock–Eval,Iatroscan,and electron microscopy imaging results before and after heating the samples.We discovered this immature shale that undergoes burial and diagenesis,in which organic matter is converted into hydro-carbons.Primary migration is the process that transports hydrocarbons in the source rock.We investigated this phenomenon by developing a model that simulates hydrocarbon generation and fluid pressure during kerogen-to-hydrocarbon conversion.Microfractures initially formed at the tip/edge of kerogen and were filled with hydrocarbons,but as catagenesis progressed,the pressure caused by the volume increase of kerogen decreased due to hydrocarbon release.The transformation of solid kerogen into low-density bitumen/oil increased the pressure,leading to the development of damage zones in the source rock.The Pabdeh Formation’s small porethroats hindered effective expulsion,causing an increase in pore fluid pressure inside the initial microfractures.The stress accumulated due to hydrocarbon production,reaching the rock’s fracture strength,further contributed to damage zone development.During the expansion process,microfractures preferentially grew in low-strength pathways such as lithology changes,laminae boundaries,and pre-existing microfractures.When the porous pressure created by each kerogen overlapped,individual microfractures interconnected,forming a network of microfractures within the source rock.This research sheds light on the complex interplay between temperature,hydrocarbon generation,and the development of expulsion fractures in the Pabdeh Formation,providing valuable insights for understanding and optimizing hydrocarbon extraction in similar geological settings.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41572137,41872165)National Science and Technology Major Project of China(Grant No.2017ZX05001002-003)Research and Innovation fund for Graduate Students of Southwest Petroleum University(Grant No.2019cxyb006)。
文摘The significance of source rocks for oil and gas accumulation has been indisputably acknowledged.Moreover,it has been gradually realized that there is difference between hydrocarbon generation capacity and hydrocarbon expulsion capacity,and this has prompted research on hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency.However,these studies dominantly highlight the results of hydrocarbon expulsion,and investigation into the corresponding process and mechanism is primarily from a macroscopic perspective.Despite its wide acceptance as the most direct hydrocarbon expulsion mode,hydrocarbon expulsion through micro-fractures is still not sufficiently understood.Therefore,this study obtains observations and performs experiments on two types of source rocks(mudstones and shales)of the Chang 7 oil group of the Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin,China.Microscopy reveals that organic matter is non-uniformly distributed in both types of source rocks.Specifically,mudstones are characterized by a cluster-like organic matter distribution,whereas shales are characterized by a layered organic matter distribution.Thermal evolution simulation experiments demonstrate that the hydrocarbon generation process is accompanied by the emergence of micro-fractures,which are favorable for hydrocarbon expulsion.Moreover,based on the theories of rock physics and fracture mechanics,this study establishes micro-fracture development models for both types of source rocks,associated with the calculation of the fracture pressure that is needed for the initiation of fracture development.Furthermore,the relationship between the fluid pressure,fracture pressure,and micro-fracture expansion length during micro-fracture development is quantitatively explored,which helps identify the micro-fracture expansion length.The results indicate that the development of micro-fractures is commonly impacted by the morphology and distribution pattern of the organic matter as well as the mechanical properties of the source rocks.The micro-fractures in turn further affect the hydrocarbon expulsion capacity of the source rocks.The results of this study are expected to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the exploration and exploitation of tight oil and shale oil.
