Study on Pore Structure and Fractal Characterization during Thermal Evolution of Oil Shale Experiments

[Image: see text] In order to better study the characteristics of the pore structure and to explore the influence factors of its fractal dimensions during the thermal evolution of oil shale, the immature oil shale (T(max) = 433 °C, TOC = 28.00%) of the Ordos Basin Extension Group was selected to simulate the whole thermal evolution process from immature to over mature in a semiopen system. Organic geochemical data show that the thermal simulation hydrocarbon generation threshold is between 300 and 400 °C. According to AIP-SEM observation, the pore types of the samples are different in different thermal simulation stages. The fractal dimensions are calculated by low-temperature N(2) adsorption data using the fractal Frenkel–Halsey–Hill fractal model. The average surface fractal dimension (D(1)) is 2.26, indicating that the pore (<4 nm) surface is relatively smooth. The average pore structure fractal dimension (D(2)) is 2.49, indicating that the pore (>4 nm) structure is complex. Through the exploration of the relationship between fractal dimensions and organic geochemistry, whole rock X-ray diffraction, and N(2) adsorption data, it is found that fractal dimensions have different degrees of correlation with thermal maturity, mineral composition, TOC content, and pore parameters. Through comprehensive research, it shows that hydrocarbon generation and expulsion, oil and gas cracking, and organic matter carbonization have important effects on the pore structure and fractal characteristics of oil shale.