Geochemical controls on shale microstructure (2013)

Research Article| May 01, 2013 Geochemical controls on shale microstructure John J. Valenza, II; John J. Valenza, II 1Schlumberger-Doll Research, 1 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nicholas Drenzek; Nicholas Drenzek 1Schlumberger-Doll Research, 1 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Flora Marques; Flora Marques 1Schlumberger-Doll Research, 1 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Markus Pagels; Markus Pagels 2Schlumberger Innovation Center at TerraTek, 1935 Fremont Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Maria Mastalerz Maria Mastalerz 3Indiana Geological Survey, Indiana University, 611 N. Walnut Grove Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-2208, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information John J. Valenza, II 1Schlumberger-Doll Research, 1 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Nicholas Drenzek 1Schlumberger-Doll Research, 1 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Flora Marques 1Schlumberger-Doll Research, 1 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Markus Pagels 2Schlumberger Innovation Center at TerraTek, 1935 Fremont Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104, USA Maria Mastalerz 3Indiana Geological Survey, Indiana University, 611 N. Walnut Grove Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-2208, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 17 May 2012 Revision Received: 12 Dec 2012 Accepted: 22 Dec 2012 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2013 Geological Society of America Geology (2013) 41 (5): 611–614. https://doi.org/10.1130/G33639.1 Article history Received: 17 May 2012 Revision Received: 12 Dec 2012 Accepted: 22 Dec 2012 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation John J. Valenza, Nicholas Drenzek, Flora Marques, Markus Pagels, Maria Mastalerz; Geochemical controls on shale microstructure. Geology 2013;; 41 (5): 611–614. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33639.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The uptick in hydrocarbon production from shale in the United States has generated interest in metrics of unconventional reservoir quality, like permeability. We use conventional gas sorption to characterize shale microstructure, which provides insight on the features that govern mass transport. The gas sorption data are analyzed to determine the surface area, AS (m2/g), and pore volume, VP (cm3/g) of 30 samples from basins across North America. With this information, we quantify the effect of composition and thermal maturity on shale microstructure. In particular, we find that the specific surface area of the organic component evolves from ∼50 m2/g total organic carbon (TOC) in immature shale to ∼500 m2/g TOC for regions that produce dry gas. The increase in AS is accompanied by an increase in VP and concomitant decline in average pore size (e.g., rH = 4VP/AS). We contend that the latter is due to the development of nanometer-sized pores in kerogen as it is converted to mobile hydrocarbon which is ultimately expelled. This hypothesis is supported by similar measurements on companion samples after bitumen extraction or combustion, which underscore the intimate spatial association of petroleum and kerogen. Coupled with information on accessibility to the porosity garnered by varying the particle size, these results establish a clear link between organic matter, thermal maturity, and reservoir quality in unconventional shale systems. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.