Morphological complexity and azimuthal disorder of evolving pore space in low-maturity oil shale during in-situ thermal upgrading and impacts on permeability

• DOI: 10.1016/j.petsci.2024.03.020
• Publication Date: 2024-03-28T18:08:31Z
• Authors: Jun Liu; Yan-Bin Yao; Derek Elsworth
• Keywords: Bedding; Bed

In-situ thermal upgrading is used to tune the pore system in low-maturity oil shales. We introduce fractal dimension (D), form factor (ff) and stochastic entropy (H) quantify heating-induced evolution of morphological complexity azimuthal disorder develop a model estimate impact on seepage capacity via permeability. Experiments are conducted under recreated in-situ temperatures consider anisotropic properties - both parallel perpendicular bedding. Results indicate that distribution pores bedding-parallel direction dispersed, while those bedding-perpendicular concentrated. D values higher reduce uniformity size (PSD) but narrow PSD direction. The greater ff (>0.7) account for large proportion, dominated locates within 0.2–0.7, all temperatures. H value sample remains stable at ∼0.925 during heating, gradually increases from 0.808 25 °C 0.879 500 sample. Congruent with mechanistic model, permeability elevated ∼1.83 times (bedding-parallel) ∼6.08 (bedding-perpendicular) relative confirming effectiveness treatment potentially enhancing production