Correction Method of Light Hydrocarbons Losing and Heavy Hydrocarbon Handling for Residual Hydrocarbon (<i>S</i>₁) from Shale

Abstract

In China, hot researches on shale oil were raised by the important breakthrough of shale oil in America. Obviously, the first important issue is the actual shale oil resource potential of China, and the selection of the key appraisement parameter is vital to the shale oil resource amount. Among the appraisement parameters, the oil content parameter (S1) is the key one, but the evaluation result is generally lower because of light hydrocarbon losing and heavy hydrocarbon handling. And the more important thing is that the light hydrocarbon with small molecular weight is more recoverable, and therefore its amount is important to the total shale oil yields. Based on pyrolysis experiments and the kinetic model of hydrocarbon generation, correction factors and a model of light hydrocarbon losing and heavy hydrocarbon handling were established. The results show that the correction factor of heavy hydrocarbon handling is 3.2, and that of light hydrocarbon losing is controlled by kerogen type, maturity and hydrocarbon generation environment (closed or open).