Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale

Solid bitumen is widely used as a thermal proxy in source-rock reservoirs, yet its texture and presentation may be affected by varying environmental constraints during its formation, e.g., water concentration, mineral catalysis, or salinity. Herein we investigated the development of solid bitumen properties during artificial maturation using three diverse (lacustrine to marine) oil shale samples containing abundant H-rich sedimentary organic matter (bituminite). Bituminite in the oil shales was treated via pyrolysis (320°C, 72 hrs) using hydrous, anhydrous, and brine conditions, causing the development of a newly formed solid bitumen in the experiment residues. The properties of the newly formed solid bitumen then were evaluated via geochemical screening tests, optical and electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. Experimental residues also were treated via solvent extraction, allowing characterization of the effects of extraction to solid bitumen. Data from the experiments are provided here in 5 tables. Table 1 contains extract and fractionation data for untreated samples. Table 2 contains gas chromatography ratios. Table 3 contains reflectance and geochemical screening data. Table 4 contains gas yields for each sample under the various conditions. Table 5 contains Micro-Fourier transform infrared (micro-FTIR) data. For analysis findings, interpretations, and results, refer to the accompanying larger work publication, "Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale: implications for solid bitumen reflectance in source-rock reservoirs".