Changes in shale microstructure and fluid flow under high temperature: Experimental analysis and fluid–structure interaction simulation

Oil shale is characterized by a dense structure, low proportion of pores and fissures, and low permeability. Pore-fracture systems serve as crucial channels for shale oil migration, directly influencing the production efficiency of shale oil resources. Effectively stimulating oil shale reservoirs remains a challenging and active research topic. This investigation employed shale specimens obtained from the Longmaxi Formation. Scanning electron microscopy, fluid injection experiments, and fluid–structure interaction simulations were used to comprehensively analyze structural changes and fluid flow behavior under high temperatures from microscopic to macroscopic scales. Experimental results indicate that the temperature has little effect on the structure and permeability of shale before 300 ℃. However, there are two threshold temperatures within the range of 300 to 600 ℃ that have significant effects on the structure and permeability of oil shale. The first threshold temperature is between 300 and 400 ℃, which causes the oil shale porosity, pore-fracture ratio, and permeability begin to increase. This is manifested by the decrease in micropores and mesopores, the increase in macropores, and the formation of a large number of isolated pores and fissures within the shale. The permeability increases but not significantly. The second threshold temperature is between 500 and 600 ℃, which increases the permeability of oil shale significantly. During this stage, micropores and mesopores are further reduced, and macropores are significantly enlarged. A large number of connected and penetrated pores and fissures are formed. More numerous and thicker streamlines appear inside the oil shale. The experimental results demonstrate that high temperatures significantly alter the microstructure and permeability of oil shale. At the same time, the experimental results can provide a reference for the research of in-situ heating techniques in oil shale reservoir transformation.