Abstract
In this study, the pore structure characteristics of Canadian Horn River basin shales with various chemical compositions were evaluated using gas physisorption analyses. The samples used in this research were obtained from two different regions (shallow and deep regions) of rock cuttings during the drilling of the shale gas field located in Horn River basin. The pore size, specific surface area, total pore volume, micropore surface area, and micropore volume of the shale samples were measured using both nitrogen and CO2. The results indicated that the pore size was not a function of chemical composition, while distinct trends were observed for other macroscopic and microscopic pore-related properties. In particular, the greatest specific surface area and total pore volume were observed for silica-rich carbonate shales, while clay-rich siliceous shales exhibited the greatest micropore volume and micropore surface area. The trends clearly suggested that macroscopic and microscopic pore-related properties of the Canadian Horn River basin shales were closely related to their chemical composition. Furthermore, a stronger correlation was observed between the quartz content and the micropore-related physical properties of shales (i.e., the micropore surface area and micropore volume) in comparison to other properties.
Highlights
With an increasing natural gas consumption worldwide, and in the face of challenges involved in finding massive conventional gas resources, novel and unconventional gas resources have been actively explored
The samples used in this study were obtained from rock cuttings during drilling of the shale gas field located in Horn River basin, Canada
Total organic carbon values were determined by subtracting total inorganic carbon (IC) from total carbon values (TC); total organic carbon (TOC) = TC − IC
Summary
With an increasing natural gas consumption worldwide, and in the face of challenges involved in finding massive conventional gas resources, novel and unconventional gas resources have been actively explored. As a representative unconventional gas resource, the shale gas resources of the world are known to be abundant. The amount of gas production from shale gas has increased in Canada, the USA, and other countries, owing to the advancements in cutting-edge technologies including horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing [1]. The international considerations for effectively using shale gas include its successful supply and economic feasibility. Understanding of the storage and flow mechanism of shale gas is essential in optimizing the development plan and subsequent economic production of gas
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