Coupling Relationship between Lithofacies and Brittleness of the Shale Oil Reservoir: A Case Study of the Shahejie Formation in the Raoyang Sag

Analyzing the characteristics of rock brittleness in low-permeability mudstone and shale (MS) formations is imperative for efficient hydraulic fracturing stimulation. Rock brittleness depends on the mineral composition, organic matter abundance, and bedding structure. Based on the MS from Shahejie Formation mineral composition (clay mineral, felsic mineral, and calcareous mineral contents), total organic content, and bedding structure (laminated, laminar, and massive), six types of lithofacies were identified: clay-rich MS, felsic-rich MS, calcareous-rich MS, clay MS, felsic MS, and calcareous MS. The quartz, feldspar, calcite, and dolomite of the Shahejie Formation are brittle minerals. Consequently, lithofacies with high felsic and calcareous mineral contents are more brittle. In addition, laminated and laminar MS are also conducive to hydraulic fracturing. Therefore, laminated, organic-rich, and calcareous-rich MS are the dominant lithofacies for hydraulic fracturing in the Shahejie Formation. The lithofacies and brittleness index were predicted by the response characteristics between mineral compositions and logging curves. The 3521–3552 m section of well B11x is dominated by calcareous-rich MS with developed laminae, representing a favorable section for hydraulic fracturing. Fragile minerals and oil are widely developed in the lower part of the lower 1st member of the Shahejie Formation (Es1L) in the southwestern part of Zhaohuangzhuang-Suning, where hydraulic fracturing can be used to increase shale oil production.

Stable Isotopes Carbon C13 and Oxygen O18 as Indicators of Triassic Limestone Sedimentation Environment and Diagenesis

The results of researches of the stable isotopes, carbon 13C and oxygen 18O, measured in Triassic limestones of Opole Silesia in Poland were presented in this article. The study was carried out to obtain data for interpretation of the environment of these rocks formation. Moreover, it was possible to form the theory about diagenetic processes which influenced on the mineral composition of limestone and some of their carbonte phases. The results of study show a general differentiation of δ13C and δ18O contents in carbonate minerals. All δ18O values are less than 0 ‰. It indicates that the origin oxygen isotope composition could be probably reset by diagenesis. The crystallization temperatures of low-Mg calcite and high-Mg, calculated on the basis of δ18O values are greater than 25 oC. They are higher than typical for sea basin and are also not be related to the presence of hydrothermal solutions. The increased temperatures of calcites crystallization are related to diagenetic processes that took place after the deposition and burial of carbonate material. The preservation of high-Mg calcite, an ustable carbonate phase, which is usually trasformed into low-Mg calcite during diagenesis, is probably connected with the increased salinity of the sea basin in which studied limestones were formed.

Mineral composition of wheat species as influenced by different fertilizer sources and different weed control practices

This research was carried out to determine the effects of agronomic practices on the mineral composition of organically-grown wheat species. In terms of all nutrients evaluated, the mineral content of wheat showed significant differences according to crop years, varieties, weed control methods and fertilizer sources. As the average of all factors, the Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb contents of the ground wheat grain were; 3.93, 42.8, 79.6, 0.549, 11.34, 0.012, 0.140, 0.194, 3.71 and 0.269 mg / kg, respectively. According to the wheat varieties, the Kırik was superior in terms of Cu, Fe, Se, Zn, Co and Cr, and the Dogu-88 was superior in terms of Mn, Cd, and Ni. The effect of weed control methods on mineral content was variable. According to fertilizer sources, the highest mineral content was obtained from the control plots without fertilizer treatments. The lowest mineral contents were obtained from chemical fertilization, cattle manure and organic fertilizer applications. There was no significant increase in the mineral content of wheat with organic fertilization, however, organic agriculture still preserves its place in terms of healthy food. As a result, it has been determined that the values obtained for all mineral elements were not at a level that pose a risk on the environment, human and animal health according to WHO.

Geological structure and localization of mineralization at the Moryanikho-Merkurikhinskoye ore field

The paper discusses the lithological and facial features of the terrigenous-carbonate (biohermic) ore-bearing geological formation of the Moryanikho-Merkurikhinskoye ore field (Yenisei Ridge), which hosts stratiform lead-zinc deposits in carbonate strata. Ore-hosting lithofacies and their paleostructural position are characterized. Based on the previous studies, as well as the author’s own materials obtained as a result of field work, the main favorable lithological, facial and structural factors for hosting Moryanikhinsky-type stratiform lead-zinc mineralization are defined: the presence of paleodepressions within the shelf zone; development of carbonate rocks – dolomites, stromatolite dolomites and limestones, which are biohermic structures on the slopes of paleo-uplifts; the presence of an admixture of tuffaceous material in terrigenous rock varieties. The influence of tectonic faults on the formation of ore deposits and the morphology of ore bodies is indicated. The main types of ores of the Moryanikho- Merkurikhinsky ore field, as well as their mineral composition are described. The paper discusses the main ore types, as well as their mineral composition typical of the Moryanikho-Merkurikhinskoye ore field. The largest and well-studied lead and zinc stratiform Moryanikhinskoye deposit and Merkurikhinskoye ore occurrence located within the ore field are briefly characterized. The Moryanikhinskoye deposit is a typical example for searching for stratiform deposits of lead and zinc in the carbonate strata of the Angara-Bolshepitskaya mineragenic zone, which is of practical interest in developing predictive prospecting models of deposits and improving the efficiency of prospecting.

Shale Heterogeneity in Western Hunan and Hubei: A Case Study from the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Well Laidi 1 in the Laifeng-Xianfeng Block, Hubei Province

Shale heterogeneity directly determines the alteration ability and gas content of shale reservoirs, and its study is a core research topic in shale gas exploitation and development. In this study, the shale from the Longmaxi Formation from well Ld1 located in western Hunan and Hubei is investigated. The shale’s heterogeneity is analyzed based on shale mineral rocks, microslices, geochemistry, and low-temperature N2 adsorption-desorption. It is found that the shales of the Longmaxi Formation from well Ld1 are mainly composed of siliceous shale, mixed shale, and clayey shale. The three types of shale facies exhibit strong heterogeneity in terms of the occurrence state of organic matter, organic content, mineral composition, microstructure and structure, brittleness, and micropore type. Sedimentation, late diagenesis, and terrigenous input are the main factors influencing the shale’s heterogeneity. With a total organic carbon (TOC) of 0.41%-4.18% and an organic matter maturity ( R o ) of 3.09%-3.42%, the shales of the Longmaxi Formation from well Ld1 are in an overmature stage, and their mineral composition is mainly quartz (5%-66%) and clay minerals (17.8%-73.8%). The main pore types are intergranular pores, intragranular pores, microfractures, and organic pores. The results of the low-temperature N2 adsorption-desorption experiment show that the shale pores are mainly composed of micropores and mesopores with narrow throats and complex structures, and their main morphology is of a thin-necked and wide-body ink-bottle pore. Based on the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) model, the pore fractal dimension is studied to obtain the fractal dimension D 1 (2.73-2.76, mean 2.74) under low relative pressure ( P / P 0 ≤ 0.5 ) and D 2 (2.80-2.89, mean 2.85) under high relative pressure ( P / P 0 > 0.5 ). The shales of the Longmaxi Formation in the study area have a strong adsorption and gas storage capacity; however, the pore structure is complex and the connectivity is poor, which, in turn, imposes high requirements on reservoir reformation measures during exploitation. Moreover, the fractal dimension has a positive correlation with organic matter abundance, TOC, clay mineral content, and pyrite content and a negative correlation with quartz content. Since the organic matter contained in the shales of the Longmaxi Formation in the study area is in the overmature stage, the adsorption capacity of the shales is reduced, and the controlling effect of organic matter abundance on the same is not apparent.

MOROCCAN STRAWBERRY TREE (Arbutus Unedo L.) LEAVES: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION

Strawberry tree (Arbutus Unedo L.) is one of the evergreen trees that grow spontaneously in Moroccan forests. This tall shrub is traditionally used in grazing zones of some Moroccan areas, especially during the dry season, but its value in Morocco has still been underestimated. In this paper, the nutritional composition of A. unedo leaves sample collected from seven Moroccan regions has been assessed. For this, the leaves were dried, crushed, and chemically analyzed for their proximate composition, energetic value, total and reducing sugar, and mineral composition. Results of this study suggested that samples from BniAarouse (BA) region showed the highest contents of essential nutrients such as proteins, dietary fiber, ashes, and fat with average values of 7.53, 17.89, 4.14, and 8.05 g/ 100 g of dry weight, respectively, which positively influences its consumption by small ruminants. Cluster analysis based on surveyed parameters separated the strawberries individuals into four distinct groups, providing a high variability among and within studied locations. That could be related to the diversity of the edaphoclimatic conditions between regions and to the genetic effect. The results of the present study highlighted the potential use of leaves as livestock feed, with intermediate quality, and promotes their optimal cultivation and subsequent domestication in Morocco.