T234 Geologic Energy Research (Posters)

Tuesday, 27 September 2016
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall E/F


PORE STRUCTURE AND METHANE ADSORPTION CAPACITY OF LONGMAXI AND NIUTITANG MARINE SHALES IN SOUTHERN CHINA

Paper number: T234-16
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM


Authors

  • Mengdi Sun Presenting Author
    China University of Geoscience (Beijing), Beijing

Abstract

Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale and Lower Cambrian Niutitang Shale are two significant shale horizons being studied for unconventional development in China. In this work, we focused on 25 core samples collected from five wells in southeastern and southern margin around Sichuan Basin, to better understand pore structure and its impact on methane adsorption capacity of high-maturity marine shales. Pore structure of shales are obtained from complementary tests of low-pressure gas (N2 and CO2) sorption isotherm and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The organic matter is a main controlling factor on CH4 adsorption capacity, shown by a positive correlation between TOC (total organic carbon) and Langmuir volume. The clays contents show a slightly positive correlation with the TOC-normalized Langmuir volume for both shales. Micropores (<2 nm) have a greater impact on CH4 adsorption capacity than mesopores (2-50 nm) and macropores (>50 nm). The CH4 adsorption capacity will not always increase with an increase of organic matter maturity. A negative relationship between the TOC-normalized Langmuir volume and Ro is observed in Niutitang samples. Due to its higher TOC content, the Niutitang Shale has a stronger Langmuir CH4 adsorption capacity than Longmaxi Shale. The higher meso-macropore volume of Longmaxi Shale makes it to have a higher free-gas storage capacity than Niutitang Shale. Fractal dimensions were obtained from nitrogen sorption isotherm and mercury intrusion capillary pressure data. The surface fractals (determined by nitrogen adsorption) results show that the shales with a higher fractal dimension Dn2 (P/P0<0.5) means more surface area and then a stronger adsorption capability. The fractal dimension Dn1 (P/P0>0.5) is significant in describing pore structures, especially for average pore diameter. The surface fractals (determined by mercury intrusion) results suggest that the shales with high fractal dimension Dm1 (P≤1 MPa) have a weak gas flow capability. Moreover, the shales with a high fractal dimension Dm2 (1 MPa<P≤100 MPa) would have a lower Le/L ratio of tortuosity, is not conducive to the preservation of shale gas.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7

doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-278513

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