A Comprehensive Review of the Oil Flow Mechanism and Numerical Simulations in Shale Oil Reservoirs

Zhiyu Li, Zhengdong Lei, Weijun Shen (), Dmitriy A. Martyushev and Xinhai Hu
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Zhiyu Li: Key Laboratory for Mechanics in Fluid Solid Coupling Systems, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Zhengdong Lei: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
Weijun Shen: Key Laboratory for Mechanics in Fluid Solid Coupling Systems, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Dmitriy A. Martyushev: Department of Oil and Gas Technologies, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, 614990 Perm, Russia
Xinhai Hu: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-23

Abstract: The pore structure of shale oil reservoirs is complex, and the microscale and nanoscale effect is obvious in the development of shale oil reservoirs. Understanding the oil flow mechanism in shale reservoirs is essential for optimizing the development plan and enhancing the recovery rate of shale oil reservoirs. In this review, we briefly introduce the occurrence status of shale oil and shale oil flow in the inorganic matrix and the organic matrix (including the shrinkage of kerogen, oil diffusion in kerogen, oil transport in the organic pore channels, coupling of diffusion, and fluid transport in the organic matrix). Then, the shale oil microflow simulation and a coupling model of double-porous media for microflow and macroflow in the production process of shale oil are discussed. Finally, we summarize the main conclusions and perspectives on the oil flow mechanism and numerical simulations in shale oil reservoirs. An accurate description of shale oil occurrence status and shale oil flow in the inorganic and organic matrices is crucial for the numerical simulation of shale oil reservoirs. It can provide a basis and reference for the future directions of shale oil flow and numerical simulations during the development of shale oil reservoirs.

Keywords: shale oil; occurrence status; flow mechanism; inorganic matrix; organic matrix; numerical simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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