Nickel Oleate Liquid Catalyst for In-Situ Upgrading of MLM Shale Oil: Catalytic Mechanism and Flow-Diffusion Characteristics

Jiafeng Jin; Caina Song; Jinsheng Sun; Kang Ren; Kaihe Lv; Lide Song; Xinyu Hao

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2026.08.008

Engineering ›› :202608008 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.08.008

research-article

Nickel Oleate Liquid Catalyst for In-Situ Upgrading of MLM Shale Oil: Catalytic Mechanism and Flow-Diffusion Characteristics

Jiafeng Jin ^a^,^b^,^*
, Caina Song ^a^,^b^,^c
, Jinsheng Sun ^a^,^b^,^c^,^d^,^*
, Kang Ren ^a^,^b
, Kaihe Lv ^a^,^b
, Lide Song ^a^,^b
, Xinyu Hao ^a^,^b

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Abstract

The in-situ catalytic conversion technology for medium-low maturity shale oil offers significant benefits by lowering pyrolysis activation energy and enhancing oil and gas quality, crucial for accelerating industrial development in this field. Current solid catalysts struggle with poor compatibility with shale pore throats and limited mobility within formations. To address these issues, we present a metal-based liquid catalyst with both hydrophilic and oleophilic properties. This catalyst enables an organic matter conversion rate of up to 84.6% at 400 °C, increasing the proportion of light hydrocarbons in the oil products by 8.8%. Using various characterization techniques, we detailed the efficient catalytic cracking mechanism involving Ni and oleic acid ligands. Studies show that at elevated temperatures, oleic acid acts as a hydrogen donor, synergistically catalyzing with active metal Ni to facilitate kerogen decomposition, thereby producing light oil. The amphiphilic nature of this liquid catalyst ensures effective flow and diffusion in shale micro-fractures, exhibiting excellent targeted adsorption capabilities and significantly enhancing the mass transfer efficiency between the catalyst and organic matter molecules. These findings strongly support the development and industrial application of efficient in-situ catalytic modification catalysts for medium-low maturity shale oil.

Keywords

Medium-low maturity shale oil / Liquid catalyst / Pyrolysis mechanism / Flow diffusion

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Jiafeng Jin, Caina Song, Jinsheng Sun, Kang Ren, Kaihe Lv, Lide Song, Xinyu Hao. Nickel Oleate Liquid Catalyst for In-Situ Upgrading of MLM Shale Oil: Catalytic Mechanism and Flow-Diffusion Characteristics. Engineering 202608008 DOI:10.1016/j.eng.2026.08.008

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