Shale oil micro-migration characterization: Key methods and outlook

Research has identified and increasingly explored the micro-migration phenomenon in shaly strata, which is currently one of the key scientific issues affecting shale oil accumulation and efficient development. Recently, qualitative and quantitative methods for characterizing hydrocarbon fractionation related to shale oil micro-migration have been proposed, which brought promising prospects to oil micro-migration research. Three key techniques in this field are summarized in this minireview, and the outlook for shale oil micro-migration characterization is prospected. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry can be employed to distinguish subtle composition differences related to short-distance migration; core-flooding extraction experiments can be utilized for the quantitative characterization of micro-migration in organic-rich shale; and semi-open thermal simulation experiments are useful to analyze the chemical composition and structural evolution of expelled and retained oil. These three methods have different focus and advantages, while they provide different viewpoints and means for the characterization of shale oil micro-migration and have all achieved good results in different regions. Studies regarding the latest technologies deepen our understanding of the short-distance migration of shale oil, as well as improve our knowledge of the mechanisms of shale oil micro-migration, which is of great practical significance to the evaluation of shale oil content and mobility and further optimizes the identification of sweet spots and the effects of fracturing development. Document Type: Current minireview Cited as: Hu, T., Jing, Z., Zhang, Q., Pan, Y., Yuan, M., Li, M. Shale oil micro-migration characterization: Key methods and outlook. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2025, 15(1): 5-12. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2025.01.02