Research status on thermal simulation experiment and several issues of concern

We study the research status of thermal simulation experiment and put forward three issues worthy of attention and five important development directions. Classification according to thermal simulation system is the most widely used classification scheme. Different thermal simulation experimental systems have their own characteristics, and according to different experimental purpose, a suitable thermal simulation experiment system can be selected according to different experimental purposes. The closed experimental system is more suitable for the thermal simulation experiment of humic source rocks. The online analysis of open system has unique advantages in the study of volatile components. The semi-open system is the most closest to the thermal simulation system of the thermal evolution of the source rocks in the actual geological condition. Three key issues are presented concerning the thermal simulation experiment are presented. The first is the influence of water on the thermal simulation experiment. The second is whether convincing isotope reversal can be presented expect Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. The third is that, in the study of the thermal simulation experiment, the model of hydrocarbon generation must be built in combination with the actual geological background. Five key development directions concerning the thermal simulation experiment are proposed. The first is thermal simulation experimental study on a relatively low temperature and a long time with water participation. The second is experimental research on thermal simulation of unconventional petroleum. The third is a study on the development of pore microcracks in source rocks and the correlation of the interaction of fluid discharge in thermal simulation experiments. The fourth is an experimental study on thermal simulation of carbonate source rock. The fifth is an experimental study of thermal simulation related to abnormal pressure. Keywords: Thermal simulation experiment, Research status, Classification scheme, Development direction