Research Progress in the Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Petroleum Geology

Raman spectroscopy has the advantages of being simple, rapid, in-situ, micro-zone, non-destructive, high resolution and high sensitivity, can be used to analyze the composition and molecular structure information of substances and is a powerful tool for geological research. By reviewing the research progress of Raman spectroscopy in recent years, the application of Raman spectroscopy in petroleum geology research is summarized based on the practical oil and gas geology research, analysis and testing experience, then the existing problems in the application process and the future development direction is discussed. Raman spectroscopy application in petroleum geology is mainly divided into three aspects: (1) the mineral and fluid inclusion analysis, which can determine the type and composition of diagenetic fluid and hydrocarbon, diagenesis and hydrocarbon accumulation process, including rock and mineral identification, analysis of the fluid system in fluid inclusions, water and rock interaction process, isotope study of geological samples, etc.; (2) Different types of organic matter analysis can be used to reconstruct thermal history and constrain the stages of hydrocarbon accumulation; (3) Fluid inclusion pressure recovery can be used to study the formation and evolution process of oil and gas reservoirs. The main way to recover fluid inclusions and trapping pressure is using the displacement variation of gas Raman characteristic peak and gas solubility. In practical petroleum geology research, the quantitative and semi-quantitative application of Raman spectroscopy is restricted by many factors, including the complexity and particularity of geological samples, sample processing methods, Raman testing parameters and testing environment Raman spectrum data processing and analysis methods. Standardization of Raman spectrum testing and analysis process, selection and preparation of calibration samples Combining Raman spectroscopy with heating-freezing stage, hydrothermal diamond-anvil cell (HDAC), high-pressure optical cell (HPOC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron probe (EPMA) and other instruments to carry out in-situ. Real-time and different temperature and pressure testing of complex systems is the research direction for further application of Raman spectroscopy in petroleum geology.