Kinetic simulation of hydrocarbon generation and its application to in-situ conversion of shale oil

Abstract

Abstract The kinetic parameters of hydrocarbon generation are determined through experimental simulation and mathematical calculation using four typical samples selected from the Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation in the northwest of Songliao Basin, Chang 7 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation in the southwest of Ordos Basin, Paleogene in the southwest of Qaidam Basin, and Lucaogou Formation of Jimusar Sag in the east of Junggar Basin. The results show that activation energy of hydrocarbon generation of organic matter is closely related to maturity and mainly ranges between 197 kJ/mol and 227 kJ/mol. On this basis, the temperature required for organic matter in shale to convert into oil was calculated. The ideal heating temperature is between 270 °C and 300 °C, and the conversation rate can reach 90% after 50—300 days of heating at constant temperature. When the temperature rises at a constant rate, the temperature corresponding to the major hydrocarbon generation period ranges from 225 to 350 °C at the temperature rise rate of 1—150 °C/month. In order to obtain higher economic benefits, it is suggested to adopt higher temperature rise rate (60—150 °C/month). The more reliable kinetic parameters obtained can provide a basis for designing more reasonable scheme of in-situ heating conversion.