Modeling diffusion and expulsion of hydrocarbons in kerogen

A computing system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory system comprising one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:
• receiving input data representing a subterranean formation;
• defining a grid representing the input data, wherein the grid comprises cells;
• identifying at least one of the cells in which kerogen is present based on the input data;
• generating a sub-grid comprising at least one of the cells in which kerogen is present, wherein the sub-grid comprises at least one of:
• sub-cells inside the kerogen;
• sub-cells located in a vicinity between the kerogen and a pore space surface;
• or
• sub-cells representing pore space;
• simulating hydrocarbon movement within the kerogen using the sub-grid;
• generating a model of hydrocarbon expulsion to the pore space based on the simulating to quantify an amount or volume of hydrocarbons that migrate from within the kerogen to the pore space;
• and
• utilizing the model in conjunction with a hydrocarbon recovery operation by initiating a hydrocarbon recovery task based on the model, modifying the hydrocarbon recovery task based on the model, or controlling drilling equipment based on the model.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:

• receiving input data representing a subterranean formation;
• defining a grid representing the input data, wherein the grid comprises cells;
• identifying at least one of the cells in which kerogen is present based on the input data;
• generating a sub-grid comprising at least one of the cells in which kerogen is present, wherein the sub-grid comprises at least one of:
• sub-cells inside the kerogen;
• sub-cells located in a vicinity between the kerogen and a pore space surface;
• or
• sub-cells representing pore space;
• simulating hydrocarbon movement within the kerogen using the sub-grid;
• generating a model of hydrocarbon expulsion to the pore space based on the simulating to quantify an amount or volume of hydrocarbons that migrate from within the kerogen to the pore space;
• and
• utilizing the model in conjunction with a hydrocarbon recovery operation by initiating a hydrocarbon recovery task based on the model, modifying the hydrocarbon recovery task based on the model, or controlling drilling equipment based on the model.