Effect of Petroleum Generation and Retention on Nanopore Structure Change in Laminated and Massive Shales—Insights from Hydrous Pyrolysis of Lacustrine Source Rocks from the Permian Lucaogou Formation

[Image: see text] The lacustrine shale of the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusar Sag is the principal prospective unconventional target in the Junggar Basin. The effect of petroleum generation and retention on nanopore structure change during thermal maturity in lacustrine shale is still unclear. In this study, two laminated and two massive shale samples from the Permian Lucaogou Formation were selected to study this change by closed hydrous pyrolysis. The pyrolysis temperatures were 295, 320, 345, 370, and 400 °C, which cover from the mature to the post-mature stage. Total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval, and low-pressure N(2) adsorption tests on pyrolyzed shale samples before and after extractable organic matter (EOM) extraction were conducted systematically. The results indicate that (1) the petroleum generation on nanopore structure change is in stages. The peak nanopore volume expanding stage is the late oil window (R(o) = 0.9–1.35%). At the post-mature stage (R(o) > 1.35%), the mesopore volume decreased and the majority of the nanopore space is from macropores. (2) The presence of EOM decreased both mesopores and macropores in the peak oil window. (3) The organic-rich laminated shale generated more macropores than massive shale with increasing thermal maturity. The results of this study shed light on the dynamic effect of laminae fabric, petroleum generation, and retention on shale nanopore structure change across the oil window.