Inverse modelling of nano-to macro-scale voidage within tight-oil shale

We present a major new advance in the ability to characterise the nano-voidage of intact, rather than crushed, black shale samples. The method is based on extending the range probed by mercury porosimetry from 4 nm down to 1 nm by use of an intelligent (Bayesian) inverse pore-level model. The resulting model allows estimates of the whole-sample permeability to gas and oil which are not dependent on crushed-sample particle sizes.