Hydrocarbon generation kinetics and in-situ conversion temperature conditions of Chang 7 Member shale in the Ordos Basin, China

Abstract

In-situ conversion technology has been more popular lately as an effective way to realize the industrial development of extensive medium- and low-mature shale oil/oil shale resources in China. The Ordos Basin has been recognized as the main basin containing the largest in-situ conversion recoverable resources of China. Researchers have revealed the hydrocarbon generation kinetics of low mature oil shales in the 7th Member of the Yanchang Formation (Chang 7 Member). However, the kinetics of medium mature shales may be different from those of low mature shales, and they can also be used as potential targets for in-situ conversion. At present, there is a lack of research on the in-situ hydrocarbon generation kinetics of medium- and low-mature shale oil/oil shale. In this paper, open system pyrolysis experiments were carried out on natural shales and shale samples derived from semi-open system pyrolysis with different maturities in the Chang 7 Member of the Ordos Basin respectively. Using the parallel first-order reaction theory, the frequency factor of low-mature shale was calculated to be 5.47 × 10¹⁰ s⁻¹, and the distribution of activation energy ranged from 38 kcal/mol to 61 kcal/mol. The main peak of activation energy was 49 kcal/mol, and accounted for 66.91% of all shales. With the increase in maturity, the average activation energy becomes higher, and therefore more in-situ conversion energy is needed. At the same time, the hydrocarbon generation potential characterized by S₂ peak of pyrolysis decreases during the maturation process. The activation energy is divided into three groups according to its distribution characteristics: low, main peak and high activation energy groups, representing <47 kcal/mol, ranging from 47 kcal/mol to 52 kcal/mol and >52 kcal/mol respectively. The proportion of low and high activation energy groups increased with the increase in maturity, while the proportion of main peak activation energy groups decreased. When the kinetic parameters are extrapolated to the condition of in-situ conversion, it is better to choose shales with low maturity (R_O <1 .0%) and fully transform them by rapid heating to the main hydrocarbon generation stage, and different conversion temperature ranges should be set for different maturity samples.