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Physicochemical properties of methane storage and transport in Devonian shale. Annual technical report, June 1988-May 1989

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6933571

This report deals with the determination of how natural gas is stored in Devonian shales and what the theoretical implications of the storage mechanisms are. Isotherm measurements show that approximately 50% of the methane present in shale is either dissolved in other fluids or is adsorbed; the remainder exists as gas in the pore spaces of the shale matrix. The interrelationship of mercury-porosimetry measurements, and helium and methane isotherm determinations are discussed. The possible potential of NMR as a tool for determining the nature of adsorption on the shales is explored. The errors and accuracy of isotherm determination is discussed. Different natural gas components have different isotherms in Devonian shale. One implication of this is that production from fractured reservoirs of shale ought to fluctuate in response to wellbore pressure fluctuations. Relevant results from both an analytical model and a new numerical simulator are presented.

Research Organization:
Juniata Coll., Huntingdon, PA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6933571
Report Number(s):
PB-90-185463/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English