Quantitative study of generated shale hydrocarbon—a case study of lacustrine shale, Yanchang Formation

Abstract

ABSTRACTShale hydrocarbon has recently received widespread interest due to its emergence as a type of clean energy. However, calculating the quantity of lacustrine shale hydrocarbon is a challenging issue that the petroleum geologists are currently facing, which results in a poor understanding of shale-hydrocarbon distribution. Using mass conservation law, as well as geochemical and geological rules, this paper tries to establish mathematical models for calculating the quantities of lacustrine shale hydrocarbon. A simple method is also introduced to acquire the target values. The lacustrine shale of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin is selected to establish the mathematical models and the parameter systems. The method is tested to be computationally efficient and highly practical. The results show that the generated shale gas and shale oil per ton of lacustrine shale of the Yanchang Formation are 1.2 m3 and 0.75 kg, respectively. The lacustrine shale of the Yanchang Formation has a high hydrocarbon potential and is recommended as a favorable target for shale hydrocarbon exploration.