Controls on reservoir properties in organic-matter-rich shales: Insights from MICP analysis

Mastalerz, Maria; Drobniak, Agnieszka; Hower, James C.

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107775

Controls on reservoir properties in organic-matter-rich shales: Insights from MICP analysis

Journal Article · Fri Aug 14 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107775· OSTI ID:1657074

Mastalerz, Maria ^[1]; Drobniak, Agnieszka ^[2]; Hower, James C. ^[3]

Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN (United States). Indiana Geological and Water Survey; Indiana Geological and Water Survey, Indiana University
Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN (United States). Indiana Geological and Water Survey
Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States). Center for Applied Energy Research

Mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) analysis was used to study organic-matter-rich Devonian shales varying in maturity from marginally mature to postmature to discuss controls on drainage and imbibition in shale reservoirs. Six samples come from the New Albany Shale; their total organic carbon (TOC) ranged from 3.3–8.4 % and vitrinite reflectance (R_o) from 0.54–1.42 %. One Marcellus Shale sample with R_o 2.50 % was used to extend the maturity range to the advanced dry gas window. Three coal samples of varying rank were also included for comparison. Porosity of the shales ranges from 1.5–5.0 %, and MICP-derived permeability ranges from 0.17–9.9 mD. Injection capillary pressure curves have a range of entry pressures from 0.055 to0.421 MPa, and no relationship of entry pressure with maturity was revealed. Maturity, however, has an influence on pore size distribution, with the higher-maturity samples having significantly lower volumes of pores with throats less than 10 nm in diameter. Withdrawal capillary pressure curves document a wide range of withdrawal efficiencies from 55 % to almost 100 %, and pores having throats between 3–50 nm in diameter play a major role in the ability of mercury to be released from the pore system. The obtained data provide valuable information about shale properties and their behavior not only in the air-mercury system but also under reservoir conditions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0006978

OSTI ID:: 1657074

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1650704

Journal Information:: Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering Vol. 196; ISSN 0920-4105

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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02 PETROLEUM
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