INFLUENCE OF THERMAL MATURITY AND ORGANIC MATTER TYPE ON PORE STRUCTURE OF TRANSITIONAL ORGANIC-RICH SHALES

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongrui Wu ◽  
◽  
Sheng He ◽  
Kuo Wan ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouxu Pan ◽  
Ming Zha ◽  
Changhai Gao ◽  
Jiangxiu Qu ◽  
Xiujian Ding

In order to examine the pore structure and reveal the fractal geometric nature of shales, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted on lacustrine shale samples cored from the Kongdian Formation. Based on the low temperature nitrogen adsorption, fluorescent thin section and field emission scanning electronic microscope, a comprehensive pore structure classification and evaluation were conducted on shale samples. Fractal dimensions D1 and D2 (with relative pressure of 0–0.45 and 0.45–1.00, respectively) were obtained from the nitrogen adsorption data using the fractal Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) method. With additional means of X-ray diffraction analysis, total organic carbon content analysis and thermal maturity analysis, the relationships between pore structure parameters, fractal dimensions, TOC content and mineral composition are presented and discussed in this paper. The results show that interparticle pores and microfractures are predominant, whereas organic matter pores are rarely found. The pore morphology is primarily featured with wide-open ends and slit-shaped structures. In terms of pore scale, mesopores and macropores are predominant. The value of fractal dimension D1 representing small pores ranges from 2.0173 to 2.4642 with an average of 2.1735. The value of D2 which represents large pores ranges from 2.3616 to 2.5981 with an average of 2.4960. These low numbers are an indication of few pore types and relatively low heterogeneity. In addition, smaller D1 values reveal that large pores have more complicated spatial structures than smaller ones. The results of correlation analysis show that: 1) D2 is correlated positively with specific surface area but negatively with average pore diameter; 2) D1 and D2 literally show no obvious relationship with mineral composition, TOC content or vitrinite reflectance (Ro); 3) both total Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) volume and specific surface area show a positive relationship with dolomite content and a negative relationship with felsic minerals content. These results demonstrate that the pore types are relatively few and dominated by mesopores, and the content of brittle minerals such as dolomite and felsic minerals control the pore structure development whilst organic matter and clay minerals have less influence due to low thermal maturity and abundance of clay minerals.


DYNA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 88 (216) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
Germán Javier Tomas ◽  
Walter Vargas ◽  
Adrián Javier Acuña

The biomarker profiles are characteristic of oils. The goal of this study was to evaluate the biomarkers in oil samples using geochemical analysis. Oil samples were obtained from Austral Basin and from Golfo San Jorge Basin. Specifically, the aliphatic and aromatic fractions were analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry. Biomarker ratios were calculated for isoprenoids, terpanes, steranes to correlate the organic matter precursor, deposition environment, and others to differentiate distinct crude oil sources. Based on the specific parameters, the crude of the Austral Basin appears to have been generated from organic matter type II-III (mixed), in deposition environments with moderate oxygen concentration, associated with a siliciclastic lithology and a moderate to high thermal maturity. On the contrary, the crude oils from the Golfo San Jorge Basin displayed biomarkers profiles characteristics to a type II (marine) kerogen, corresponding to an anoxic deposition environment, carbonated lithology and low thermal maturity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-67
Author(s):  
Zhikai Liang ◽  
Zhenxue Jiang ◽  
Zhuo Li ◽  
Fenglin Gao ◽  
Chengxi Wang ◽  
...  

The stock of shale gas in the Shahezi shale reservoir in Changling fault depression, Songliao basin is believed to be worth exploring. To conduct an in-depth study on the pore structure and fractal characterization of organic matter (OM) can help better understand the pore system of shale reservoir, which has implications for the exploration of lacustrine shale. In order to demonstrate the nanoscale pore structure and irregularity of the isolated OM, we collected a large number of samples and then conducted a series of laboratory experiments, such as the XRD, SEM, CO2, and N2 adsorption experiments conducted to determine the pore structure parameters and reveal their heterogeneity according to FHH theory. As suggested by the experimental results, the pore volume of the isolated OM ranges between 0.034 and 0.056 cm3/g, which is approximately 0.90-3.06 times that of bulk shale samples. As for the fractal dimensions D1 (2.594 on average) and D2 (2.657 on average) of bulk shale, they are larger as compared to isolated OM, indicating that inorganic minerals can make a significant difference to the heterogeneity of shale pores. The fractal dimensions (D1 and D2) of bulk shales show a close correlation with the parameters of pore structure, while there is no significant correlation observed between the dimensions of isolated OM and its parameters. In addition, thermal maturity and solid bitumen have only limited impact on the OM pore structure of isolated OM samples. Then, we conducted a further research to reveal that the insoluble OM macerals derived from terrestrial higher plants can be used to explain the difference in pore structure and heterogeneity between isolated OM samples. Therefore, we arrived at the conclusion that the composition of macerals depends on the exact pore structure and fractal characteristics of isolated OM samples with similarity in thermal maturity


2012 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 120-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongwei Zhang ◽  
Geoffrey S. Ellis ◽  
Stephen C. Ruppel ◽  
Kitty Milliken ◽  
Rongsheng Yang

Author(s):  
Zhazha Hu ◽  
Garri Gaus ◽  
Timo Seemann ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Ralf Littke ◽  
...  

Abstract The shale gas potential of Ediacaran and Lower Silurian shales from the Upper Yangtze platform is assessed in this study with a focus on the contributions of clay minerals and organic matter to sorption capacity. For this purpose, a multidisciplinary assessment was carried out using petrophysical, mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical methods. In terms of TOC contents (4.2%), brittle mineral contents (68.6%) and maximum gas storage capacities (0.054–0.251 mmol/g) Ediacaran shales from this study show comparable properties to other producing shale gas systems although the thermal maturity is extremely high (VRr = 3.6%). When compared to lower Silurian shales from the same region, it is evident that (1) deeper maximum burial and (2) a lack of silica-associated preservation of the pores resulted in a relatively lower mesopore volume, higher micropore volume fraction and lower overall porosity (Ediacaran shales: 1.4–4.6%; Silurian shales: 6.2–7.4%). Gas production is therefore retarded by poor interconnectivity of the pore system, which was qualitatively demonstrated by comparing experimental gas uptake kinetics. TOC content exhibits a prominent control on sorption capacity and micropore volume for both shales. However, different contributions of clay minerals to sorption capacity were identified. This can partly be attributed to different clay types but is likely also related to burial-induced recrystallisation and different origins of illite. Additionally, it was shown that variations in sorption capacity due to incorrect estimates of clay mineral contribution are in the same range as variations due to differences in thermal maturity. Article highlights Pore structure and gas storage characteristics are evaluated for the first time for Ediacaran Shales from the Upper Yangtze platform Due to a lower free gas storage capacity and diffusivity, the Ediacaran shale can be regarded as a less favorable shale gas prospect when compared to the Silurian shale Clay mineral contribution to sorption capacity is evaluated taking clay mineralogy into consideration Maturity-related changes of organic matter sorption capacity have been discussed on the basis of a compiled data set


Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Rallakis ◽  
Raymond Michels ◽  
Marc Brouand ◽  
Olivier Parize ◽  
Michel Cathelineau

The Zoovch Ovoo uranium deposit is located in East Gobi Basin in Mongolia. It is hosted in the Sainshand Formation, a Late Cretaceous siliciclastic reservoir, in the lower part of the post-rift infilling of the Mesozoic East Gobi Basin. The Sainshand Formation corresponds to poorly consolidated medium-grained sandy intervals and clay layers deposited in fluvial-lacustrine settings. The uranium deposit is confined within a 60- to 80-m-thick siliciclastic reservoir inside aquifer driven systems, assimilated to roll-fronts. As assessed by vitrinite reflectance (%Rr < 0.4) and molecular geochemistry, the formation has never experienced significant thermal maturation. Detrital organic matter (type III and IV kerogens) is abundant in the Zoovch Ovoo depocenter. In this framework, uranium occurs as: (i) U-rich macerals without any distinguishable U-phase under SEM observation, containing up to 40 wt % U; (ii) U expressed as UO2 at the rims of large (several millimeters) macerals and (iii) U oxides partially to entirely replacing macerals, while preserving the inherited plant texture. Thus, uranium is accumulated gradually in the macerals through an organic carbon–uranium epigenization process, in respect to the maceral’s chemistry and permeability. Most macerals are rich in S and, to a lesser extent, in Fe. Frequently, Fe and S contents do not fit the stoichiometry of pyrite, although pyrite also occurs as small inclusions within the macerals. The organic matter appears thus as a major redox trap for uranium in this kind of geological setting.


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