Table 1 Analysis and evaluation of mainstream In-situ modification Technologies.
From: Thermal cracking for upgrading medium-low maturity shale oil: evolution of organic matter occurrence
Heating method | Main characteristics | Technology | Application situation | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Conductive Heating | This method provides flexible operation with simple equipment but suffers from slow heating and groundwater interference. | In-situ Conversion Process Technology | U.S.-tested technology failed in Jilin, China due to incompatibility with local geological conditions, resulting in terminated cooperation. | |
Electrofrac™ Technology | ExxonMobil’s Colony Mine test failed due to insufficient fracture temperatures. | |||
Convective Heating | This method provides high heating efficiency and yields readily collectible oil/gas with recyclable pyrolysis products, though it experiences substantial transport losses and requires gas separation. | In-situ Steam Injection Mining Technology | Developed by Taiyuan University of Technology’s Coal Mining Technology Institute, this technology remains in laboratory testing without large-scale application. | |
Conduction, Convection and Reflux | The U.S. project (2011) achieved 200-day heating but yielded low conversion efficiency, failing economic targets. | |||
Near-Critical Water Technology | High preparation costs and wellbore heat losses limit the effective formation temperature of near-critical water, preventing widespread adoption. | |||
Radiative Heating | This method enables selective heating with high energy efficiency, but remains immature due to limited radiative range and ongoing development. | LLNL Radio Frequency Technology | This technology provides rapid heating and operational ease but remains confined to laboratory use due to high energy and capital costs. | |
Radio Frequency/Critical Fluid Technology | This method achieves high heating efficiency with minimal environmental impact, but its high energy consumption elevates production costs, and the technology remains under development. | |||
Reaction Heat Heating | This method achieves high heating and energy efficiency, though it involves complex control processes. | In-Situ Combustion (ISC) Technology | This method provides rapid heating and high energy efficiency, but requires complex combustion control. | |
Topochemical Synthesis Technology | This process achieves high output with low energy input, but involves complex chemical reactions. |
