Cyclic Subcritical Water Injection into Bazhenov Oil Shale: Geochemical and Petrophysical Properties Evolution Due to Hydrothermal Exposure

In situ shale or kerogen oil production is a promising approach to developing vast resources and increasing world energy demand. this study, cyclic subcritical water injection in was investigated laboratory conditions as method for retorting. Fifteen non-extracted samples from Bazhenov Formation Russia (98 °C 23.5 MPa reservoir conditions) were hydrothermally treated at 350 25 semi-open system during 50 h the regime. The influence of artificial maturation on geochemical parameters, elastic microstructural properties studied. Rock-Eval pyrolysis extracted before after hydrothermal exposure SARA analysis employed analyze bitumen transformation mobile hydrocarbons immobile char. X-ray computed microtomography (XMT) performed characterize pore space. results demonstrated significant porosity, specific surface area increase, appearance microfractures organic-rich layers. Acoustic measurements carried out estimate alteration due treatment. Both Young’s modulus Poisson’s ratio decreased heavy bitumen, which remain trapped further gas generation, expulsion occurs. Ultimately, developed kinetic model applied match with liquid production. nonlinear least-squares optimization problem solved integration differential equations produced derived decomposition.