Open AccessDiscussion about the contribution of water to the shale gas reserves within high-over matured shale rocks
Author(s) -
Shilong Li,
Jin Xu,
Zhifu Wei,
H. Z. Wang,
Qian Deng,
Bin Cheng,
Zewen Liao
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/600/1/012015
Subject(s) - kerogen , oil shale , methane , maturity (psychological) , source rock , geology , hydrocarbon , shale gas , shell in situ conversion process , geochemistry , oil shale gas , pyrolysis , mineralogy , unconventional oil , chemistry , paleontology , psychology , developmental psychology , organic chemistry , structural basin
The shale gas currently exploited in China is mainly featured by high thermal maturity level and the methane concentration is generally more than 95% (v/v). The H/C atomic ratios of residual kerogen gradually decreased with the maturity whereas the source of elemental hydrogen contribution to the shale gas generation within high-over matured shale rocks is still vague. In recent years, some work indicated that the methane generation and its hydrogen isotope characteristics were greatly affected by elemental hydrogen from external water at the over-mature stage in shale rocks. The significance of water should be probed in the processes of geochemical degradation of residual kerogen and hydrocarbon generation in shales. It will be very meaningful to perform the hydrous pyrolysis experiments with heavy water to quantitatively appraise the impact of water on the hydrocarbon generation within shale rocks. A better understanding of the role that water plays on the shale gas generation and enrichment can be hopefully attained.