Characterizing multi-scale shale pore structure based on multi-experimental imaging and machine learning

An accurate and comprehensive understanding of shale pore structure is fundamental and critical for accurate reserves evaluation and efficient hydrocarbon development. Thus, by taking the shale of Paleogene Eocene Shahejie Formation in the Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, as an example, the 2D and 3D multi-resolution images of the shale microstructure are obtained by multiple imaging technologies, including X-ray computed tomography, large-field scanning electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. By integrating image processing and machine learning algorithms, the shale pore structure is characterized at a single scale and multi scales. The results are obtained as follows. First, the shale pore space in the study area is mainly composed of microfractures, inorganic pores, organic matters and organic pores, and exclusively shows multi-scale characteristics. Second, there are various types of inorganic pores, and abundant dissolution pores; organic matters are distributed as strips and patches, and no organic pores are found in some organic matters. Third, pores with radius less than 20 nm account for 25%, those with radius between 20 and 50 nm account for 19%, those with radius between 50 and 100 nm account for 29%, those with radius between 100 and 500 nm account for 14%, those with radius between 500 nm and 20 mm account for 11%, and those with radius between 20 and 50 mm account for 2%. Fourth, the organic pores are less connected than the inorganic pores. The connectivity between organic pores and inorganic pores plays a crucial role in hydrocarbon migration, and microfractures control fluid flow channels. Fifth, pores with radius less than 50 nm are dominantly organic pores, those with radius between 50 and 500 nm are mainly organic and inorganic pores, and microfractures mainly contribute to the pores with radius more than 500 nm. It is concluded that a single imaging experiment cannot accurately and comprehensively reveal the multi-scale micro pore structure of a shale reservoir. Through integration of multiple imaging technologies and machine learning algorithms, the shale pore structure can be recognized and characterized at both single scale and multi scales. The proposed new method provides accurate and comprehensive information of multi-scale pore structures. (c) 2023 Sichuan Petroleum Administration. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communication Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).