Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-wq484 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T00:17:24.101Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of diagenesis on shale nano-pore structure and implications for sealing capacity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

T. J. Katsube
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E8
M. A. Williamson
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Canada, Atlantic Geoscience Centre, PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada

Abstract

The effect of diagenesis on shale petrophysical characteristics is being investigated as part of a study on shale sealing capacity because of its significance for modelling hydrocarbon charge histories of sedimentary basins. Results to date indicate that diagenesis (degree of cementation and dissolution) significantly affects porosity and inter-connectivity of the nano-pores (0.3–60 nm), the pores constituting the main pore-throats for tight shales. Diagenesis causes tight shale permeabilities to vary over a range exceeding an order of magnitude (10−21 − 6 × 10−20m2) and porosities to vary between 1 and 12%. In addition, diagenesis significantly influences shale nano-pore resistance to collapse during compaction and burial, mainly at depth > 2–3 km, affecting hydrocarbon trapping, overpressure and sealing capacities. Dissolution tends to delay the timing of excess pressure pulses, while cementation has a reverse effect. The significance of diagenesis is reduced at shallower depths.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bear, J. (1972) Dynamics of Fluid in Porous Media. American Elsevier, New York.Google Scholar
Brace, W.F., Waesh, J.B. & Frangos, W.T. (1968) Permeability of granite under high pressure. J. Geophys. Res. ,73, 22252236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katsube, T.J. (1992) Statistical analysis of pore-size distribution data of tight shales from the Scotian Shelf. Current Res., PartE, Geol. Surv. Can. Paper 92-1E, 365-372.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J. & Best, M.E. (1992) Pore structure of shales from the Beaufort-MacKenzie Basin, Northwest Territories. Current Res. Part E, Geol. Surv. Can. Paper 92-1E, 157-162.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J. & Collett, L.S. (1975) Electromagnetic propagation characteristics of rocks. Pp. 279-295 in: The Physics and Chemistry of Rocks and Minerals, (Strens, R.G.J., editor). John Wiley & Sons Ltd., New York.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J. & Coyner, K. (1994) Determination of permeability(k)-compaction relationship from interpretation of k-stress data for shales from Eastern and Northern Canada. Current Res., Part D Geol. Surv. Can., Paper 94-1D, 169-177.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J. & Issler, D.R. (1993) Pore-size distribution of shales from the Beaufort-MacKenzie Basin, northern Canada. Current Research., Part E, Geol. Surv. Can., Paper 93-1E, 123-132.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J. & Mareschae, M. (1993) Petrophysical model of deep electrical conductors; Graphite lining as a source and its disconnection due to uplift. J. Geophys. Res., 98, B5, 80198030.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katsube, T.J., Best, M.E. & Mudforo, B.S. (1991a) Petrophysical characteristics of shales from the Scotian shelf. Geophysics, 56, 16811688.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katsube, T.J., Murphy, T.B., Best, M.E. & Mudeord, B.S. (1990) Pore structure characteristics of low permeability shales from deep formations: in Proe. Society of Core Analysts 4th Ann. Tech. Conf., Dallas., Texas, SCA-90IO, 1-21.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J., Scromeda, N. & Wileiamson, M. (1992a) Effective porosity of tight shales from the Venture Gas Field, offshore Nova Scotia. Geol. Surv. Can., Paper 92-1D, 111-119.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J., Williamson, M. & Best, M.E. (1992b) Shale pore structure evolution and its effect on permeability. Thirty-Third Ann. Sym. Soc. Prof. Well Log Analysts, III, Paper SCA-9214, 122.Google Scholar
Katsube, T.J., Wires, K., Cameron, B.I. & Franklin, J.M. (1991b) Porosity and permeability of ocean floor sediments from the Middle Valley Zone in the northeast Pacific; Borehole PAR90-1. Geol. Surv. Can. Paper 91-E, 91-97.Google Scholar
Loman, J.M., Katsube, T.J., Correia, J.M. & Williamson, M.A. (1993) Effect of compaction on porosity and formation factor for tight shales from the Scotian Shelf, offshire Nova Scotia. Current Res., Part E, Geol. Surv. Can., Paper 93-1E, 331-335.Google Scholar
Mudford, B.S. (1988) Modelling the occurrence of overpressures on the Scotian Shelf, offshore Eastern Canada. J. Geophysics Res., 93, 78457855.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mudford, B.S. & Best, M.E. (1989) Venture Gas Field, offshore Nova Scotia; case study of overpressuring in region of low sedimentation rate. AAPG Bull., 73, 13831396.Google Scholar
Patnode, H.W. & Wyllie, M.R.J. (1950) The presence of conductive solids in reservoir rocks as a factor in electric log interpretation. Trans. Am. Inst. Mining, Metall. Petrol. Engineers, 189, 4752.Google Scholar
Shi, Y. & WANC C-y. (1986) Pore pressure generation in sedimentary basins; overloading versus aquathermal. JGR 91, 21532162.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ungerer, P., Burrus, J., Doligez, B., Chenet, P.Y. & Bessis, F. (1990) Basin evaluation by two-dimensional modelling of heat transfer, fluid flow, hydrocarbon generation, and migration. AAPG Bull. 74, 309335.Google Scholar
Walsh, J.B. & Brace, W.F. (1984) The effect of pressure on porosity and the transport properties of rocks. J. Geophys. Res., 89, 94259431.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ward, S.H. & Fraser, D.C. (1967) Conduction of electricity in rocks. Pp. 197-223 in: Mining Geophysics, Vol. II, Society of Exploration Geophysics, Tulsa, Oklahoma.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williamson, M.A. (1992) The subsidence, compaction, thermal and maturation history of the Egret Member source rock, Jeanne D'Arc Basin, offshore Newfoundland. Bull. Can. Petrol. Geology, 40, 136150.Google Scholar
Williamson, M.A. & Smvth, C. (1992) Timing of gas and overpressure generation in the Sable Basin offshire Nova Scotia. Bull. Can. Petrol. Geology, 40, 151169.Google Scholar
Wyllie, M.R. & Spangler, M.B. (1952) Application of electrical resistivity measurements to problems of fluid flow in porous media. Bull. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geologists, 36, 359403.Google Scholar