Methods for estimating resource density using raman spectroscopy of inclusions in shale resource plays

A method of evaluating a shale source rock formation comprising:

• providing inclusions from the shale source rock formation, wherein each inclusion comprises a light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion;
• determining in situ pressures and densities of the light hydrocarbon within the shale source rock formation utilizing Raman analyses of the light hydrocarbon trapped within inclusions;
• and
• producing a map of spatial and vertical variations of the in situ pressures and densities of the light hydrocarbon in the shale source rock formation.

A method of evaluating a shale source rock formation comprising:

• providing inclusions from the shale source rock formation, wherein each inclusion comprises a light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion;
• determining in situ pressures and densities of the light hydrocarbon utilizing Raman analyses of the light hydrocarbon trapped within inclusions;
• producing a map of spatial and vertical variations of proxies for pressure normalized-estimated ultimate recovery;
• and
• identifying the areas on the map that correspond to a top quartile for pressure normalized-estimated ultimate recovery.