Research progress and key research directions of shale oil in lacustrine rift basins

作者：Xusheng Guo, Baojian Shen, Maowen Li, Huimin Liu, Zhiming Li, Shicheng Zhang, Yong Yang, Jingyi Guo, Yali Liu, Peng Li, Xiaojun Ma, Mengyun Zhao, Pei Li, Chenjia ZHANG, Zihan Wang · 发表于：Petroleum Exploration and Development · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/s1876-3804(25)60629-x · 被引用次数：17 · 研究领域：Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis、Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis、Petroleum Processing and Analysis

Lacustrine rift basins in China are characterized by pronounced structural segmentation, strong sedimentary heterogeneity, extensive fault-fracture development, and significant variability in thermal maturity and mobility of shale oil. This study reviews the current status of exploration and development of shale oil in such basins and examines theoretical frameworks such as “binary enrichment” and source–reservoir configuration, with a focus on five key subjects: (1) sedimentation-diagenesis coupling mechanisms of fine-grained shale reservoir formation; (2) dynamic diagenetic evolution and hydrocarbon occurrence mechanisms of organic-rich shale; (3) dominant controls and evaluation methods for shale oil enrichment; (4) fracturing mechanisms of organic-rich shale and simulation of artificial fracture networks; and (5) flow mechanisms and effective development strategies for shale oil. Integrated analysis suggests that two major scientific challenges must be addressed: the coupled evolution of fine-grained sedimentation, differential diagenesis, and hydrocarbon generation under tectonic influence and its control on shale oil occurrence and enrichment; and multi-scale, multiphase flow mechanisms and three-dimensional development strategies for lacustrine shale oil in complex fault blocks. In response to current exploration and development bottlenecks, future research will be conducted primarily to: (1) deeply understand organic-inorganic interactions and reservoir formation mech...