Rock Characterization of Fayetteville Shale Gas Plays

Abstract

Multiple techniques were used to characterize the petrophysical properties of the rock samples from the Fayetteville shale gas play, including clay mineralogy, wettability, organic matter and their maturation, submicron pore structure, and 3-D pore structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineralogy analysis showed high quartz and low clay content in the Fayetteville shale. Wettability tests revealed that the shale surface is originally intermediate-wet and the additives used in hydraulic fracturing fluids can alter shale gas surfaces toward water-wet conditions. The kerogen analysis suggested kerogen type IV and a high level of maturation in the tested samples. Three types of pores were observed through SEM images and the majority of the pores in organic matters were submicron sized (5-100 nm). A three-dimensional pore structure model was reconstructed from 200 two-dimensional SEM/FIB images, and the rock petrophysical properties, including porosity, permeability, and tortuosity, were calculated from the model. In addition, a good agreement was found between the total organic carbon (TOC) computed from SEM images and the TOC measured in the laboratory.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Pore Structure; Porous Media; Shale Gas; Clay Content; Clay Mineralogy; Kerogen Type; Petrophysical Properties; Rock Characterization; Rock Sample; SEM Image; Structure Models; Submicron-Sized; Three-Dimensional Pores; Total Organic Carbon; Wettability Tests

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0016-2361

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2013 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Mar 2013

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