Comprehensive Evaluation of Microscopic Movability and Macroscopic Productivity of Continental Shale Reservoir

Abstract

Continental shale oil is diversified, differentiated, and complex. It has disadvantages such as low production and inferior development benefits. Given this, the movability and productivity of shale oil were proposed in this research to evaluate the producible capacity and development potential of shale oil. Taking the Yingxiongling shale oil reservoir as an example, the microscopic movability and macroscopic productivity of the main lithofacies were systematically investigated via the NMR tests, imbibition experiments, uniaxial compression tests, and CT imaging. The characteristics of different lithofacies were clarified, and the favorable targets were identified. The results showed that the layered limy dolomite of the shale oil reservoir has the highest microscopic movability, followed by that of the laminated limy dolomite and the least of the laminated clayed shale. The laminated limy dolomite has better fluid flow properties, higher capacity to form fracture networks, and the best macroscopic productivity. The layered limy dolomite has medium macroscopic productivity, and that of the clayed shale is the least. Based on the field testing and experimental understanding of layered limy-dolomitic shale as high-quality targets, the laminated limy-dolomitic shale is further identified as a favorable target. It features a stronger capacity to form fracture networks, better imbibition performance, medium microscopic movability, and relatively high macroscopic productivity. This research further clarifies the correlation between microscopic movability and macroscopic productivity and provides theoretical support for exploring and developing the continental shale oil reservoir.