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.
Recommended Citation
B. Bai et al., "Rock Characterization of Fayetteville Shale Gas Plays," Fuel, vol. 105, pp. 645 - 652, Elsevier, Mar 2013.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2012.09.043
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