Using laser scanning confocal microscopy combined with saturated oil experiment to investigate the pseudo in-situ occurrence mechanism of light and heavy components of shale oil in sub-micron scale

The occurrence characteristics of shale oil have a significant impact on its mobility and the ultimate oil recovery. How to quantitatively characterize the occurrence and distribution characteristics of shale oil is a challenging task. Accordingly, the laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) combined with saturated oil experiment is used to quantitatively characterize the pseudo in-situ occurrence characteristics of light and heavy components of shale oil in sub-micron scale in Fengcheng Formation of Mahu Sag. Furthermore, the main controlling factors of light and heavy components’ occurrence characteristics are comprehensively investigated in this study. The results show that: (1) Shale wettability significantly affects the occurrence state of shale oil. The heavy components are prone to exist on the surface of oil-wet minerals and organic matter of shale compared with light components. (2) Shale oil is relatively rich in bright laminas and the content of light components is higher in contrast to dark laminas. (3) The temperature has a greater impact on the heavy components and pressure has a multistage impact on the occurrence state of shale oil. The microscopic preferential fluid occurrence index, Δ∅H−L, is proposed to interpret the microscopic occurrence mechanism of the light and heavy components under different pressure conditions, which provides a new perspective on the shale oil occurrence mechanism. (4) Shale oil is not easy to be enriched in dolomitic lumps and alkaline minerals due to their low pore development level. Overall, the outcomes of this study are of great significance to the understanding of shale oil enrichment mechanism. •The occurrence characteristics of shale oil are qualitatively and quantitatively characterized by LSCM experiment.•The effects of alkaline minerals, laminas and dolomitic lumps on the occurrence state of shale oil are clarified.•The influences of temperature and pressure on the occurrence characteristics of shale oil are clarified.•A new index, Δ∅H−L, is proposed to interpret the microscopic occurrence mechanism of shale oil.