Albany Shale Research Articles

Stratigraphy and Biostratigraphy of the New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian) in the Illinois Basin.

Stratigraphy and Biostratigraphy of the New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian) in the Illinois Basin.

Gas Production from the New Albany Shale

Gas Production from the New Albany Shale

Geologic and Production Comparisons of the New Albany Shale of the Illinois Basin With the Michigan Basin's Antrim Shale and the Appalachian Basin's Ohio Shale

Geologic and Production Comparisons of the New Albany Shale of the Illinois Basin With the Michigan Basin's Antrim Shale and the Appalachian Basin's Ohio Shale

Inorganic ground-water chemistry at an experimental New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian) in situ gasification site

Experimental in situ gasification of New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian) has been conducted in Clark County. Analyses of ground water sampled from a production well and nine nearby monitoring wells 3 months after a brief in situ gasification period revealed changes in water chemistry associated with the gasification procedure. Dissolved iron, calcium and sulphate in ground water from the production well and wells as much as 2 m away were significantly higher than in ground water from wells over 9 m away. Dissolved components in the more distant wells are in the range of those in regional ground water. Thermal decomposition of pyrite during the gasification process generated the elevated levels of iron and sulphate in solution. High concentrations of calcium indicate buffering by dissolution of carbonate minerals. While iron quickly precipitates, calcium and sulphate remain in the ground water. Trends in the concentration of sulphate show that altered ground water migrated mostly in a south-westerly direction from the production well along natural joints in the New Albany Shale.

Kinetic studies of rapid oil shale pyrolysis: 2. Rapid pyrolysis of oil shales in a laminar-flow entrained reactor

Rapid pyrolysis of Kentucky New Albany shale was conducted in a laminar-flow entrained reactor (LFER) to obtain a fundamental understanding of thermal reactions, which occur during high-heating-rate retorting processes. The reactor configuration was designed to simplify operation and allow accurate modelling. Temperature characterization and flow visualization in the LFER were conducted to provide the data necessary to proceed with a kinetic study on the rapid pyrolysis of oil shale. The reactor with gas preheaters was constructed to achieve high particle heating rates and to feed oil shale fine particles generated from beneficiation. The rapid pyrolysis of raw and beneficiated oil shales was carried out in nitrogen at temperatures between 700 °C and 850 °C, with gas preheat temperatures up to 980 °C. For each temperature, the sampling probe was set at different positions along the length of the reactor tube to obtain different residence times. A pyrolysis kinetic model of LFER has been developed to calculate the particle heat-up rate and residence time under each set of conditions. Comparisons are presented to evaluate the effects of beneficiation, temperature and heating rate as well as residence time. The effects of particle size and gas environment on heat transfer rates and conversion yields were also studied, and the results were used to validate the heat transfer model and to evaluate the impact of devolatilization behaviour on shale combustion in a circulating fluidized-bed reactor.

Attrition and breakage of a New Albany shale at process temperatures

An improved, high temperature rolling attrition tester (RAT) has been used to measure attrition and breakage of a New Albany eastern oil shale. The RAT is an inconel drum, suspended and rotating in an electric furnace. It is capable of temperatures from ambient to 1000 °C and controlled attrition atmospheres at ambient pressure. While such high temperatures are not used during retorting of the shale, they do allow the study of mineral reactions which could occur when combusting spent shale for waste heat recovery. The effect of temperature has been studied over the full temperature range, with more experimentation concentrated on the typical retorting range of 300–600 °C. Attrition and breakage under nitrogen, air and carbon dioxide was measured, and feed particle sizes ranged from 16mm to fines. The resultant particle size distributions were bimodal, and attrition under air was substantially higher than that under nitrogen. For the larger feed sizes and short tumbling times, the breakage kinetics were linear, and breakage rates exhibited a power law relationship with particle size.

The henryville bed of the New Albany Shale: IV. Tandem mass spectrometric analyses of geoporphyrins from the bitumen of the demineralised shale

The Ni(II) and VO(II) geoporphyrins were isolated from the organic extract of New Albany Shale (Mississippian-Devonian; Indiana, U.S.A.) which had been previously solvent-extracted and then demineralised. This extract is called bitumen-II. The geoporphyrins were analysed by electron ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (EIMS/MS). The carbon number distributions of the Ni(II) and VO(II) geoporphyrins were compared with those produced from the organic extract of the intact shale, bitumen-I, and from the pyrolysis of the New Albany shale kerogen (300°C). The carbon number ranges and the CAP/aetio ratio for the Ni(II) porphyrins from bitumen-II resembled those of the Ni(II) porphyrins of both the bitumen-I and the kerogen pyrolysate (which were essentially the same). The VO(II) porphyrin content of bitumen-II was composed of CAP porphyrins almost exclusively. This was markedly different from those of either the bitumen-I or the pyrolysate (which were very similar). Thus, there is greater selectivity in the incorporation of some of the skeletal types of VO(II) geoporphyrins into bitumen-II than for either the bitumen-I or kerogen. The daughter ion spectra of the molecular ions of the Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins of the same carbon number are similar to each other, and to the corresponding porphyrins from the bitumen-I and the kerogen pyrolysate. This observation lends weight to the argument that the Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins from the bitumen-II, bitumen-I, and the kerogen pyrolysate have common tetrapyrrolic precursors, and are generated via similar geochemical pathways.

Fractured Gas Reservoirs in the Devonian Shale of the Illinois and Appalachian Basins

The Devonian and Lower Mississippian black shale sequence of Kentucky includes the New Albany Shale of Illinois basin and the Ohio Shale of the Appalachian basin. Fractured reservoirs in the Ohio Shale contain a major gas resource, but have not been so prolific in the New Albany Shale. The authors propose two models of fractured shale reservoirs in both the Illinois and the Appalachian basins, to be tested with gas production data. (1) Where reactivated basement faults have propagated to the surface, the lack of an effective seal has prevented the development of overpressure. The resulting fracture system is entirely tectonic is origin, and served mainly as a conduit for gas migration from the basin to the surface. Gas accumulations in such reservoirs typically are small and underpressured. (2) Where basement faults have been reactivated but have not reached the surface, a seal on the fractured reservoir is preserved. In areas where thermal maturity has been adequate, overpressuring due to gas generation resulted in a major extension of the fracture system, as well as enhanced gas compression and adsorption. Such gas accumulations are relatively large. Original overpressuring has been largely lost, due both to natural depletion and to uncontrolled production. more » The relative thermal immaturity of the Illinois basin accounts for the scarcity of the second type of fractured reservoir and the small magnitude of the New Albany Shale gas resource. « less

The Henryville bed of the New Albany shale—III: Tandem mass spectrometric analyses of geoporphyrins from the bitumen and kerogen

The Ni(II) and VO(II) geoporphyrins from the bitumen of the New Albany Shale (Mississippian-Devonian, Indiana, U.S.A.) were analysed by electron ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (EIMS/MS). Analysis of the daughter ion spectra of the molecular ions reveals that the peripheral substituents of Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins of the same carbon number are similar. This observation lends weight to the argument that the Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins have common tetrapyrrolic precursors and were generated via similar geochemical pathways. The Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins produced by pyrolysis of the kerogen (300°C) from the New Albany shale were also analysed by EIMS/MS. The daughter ion spectra of the molecular ions of these porphyrins were very similar to those of the daughter ion spectra of the corresponding porphyrins which were isolated from the bitumen. These data support the hypothesis that both the Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins were liberated from the kerogen by an enhanced solubilisation or desorption into the pyrolysing solvent (toluene) as opposed to a carbon-carbon bond cleavage.

Lopatin Analysis of Maturation and Petroleum Generation in the Illinois Basin

A modified Lopatin approach was used to evaluate the present-day maturity of Paleozoic source rock units across the Illinois basin, timing of generation, regional porosity trends, and basin paleostructure during major generative events. Ten cases were modeled at 100 locations to test assumed paleogeothermal gradients, post-Pennsylvanian overburden thicknesses, and rates of erosional stripping. Lopatin predicted maturities for the Herrin ({number sign}6) Coal and the New Albany Shale are in good agreement ({plus minus}0.02% R{sub O}) with measured maturities if 500-3,000 ft of post-Middle Pennsylvanian strata and were deposited and subsequently eroded between the Permian and mid-Cretaceous and if paleogeothermal gradients were within a few {degree}C/km of present-day gradients. Predicted mean reflectance levels range from 1.0 to 4.0% R{sub O} at the base of the Potsdam Megagroup, 0.7 to 3.5% at the base of the Know Megagroup, and 0.6 to 1.3% at the base of the Maquoketa Shale, excluding only a small high-maturity area in southeastern Illinois. The Knox and Potsdam section attained oil generation 475-300 Ma, while the Maquoketa and the younger New Albany Shale reached the oil window much later: 300-250 Ma. Because most significant structures in the basin formed after 300 Ma, any pre-Maquoketa source rocks were alreadymore » within the gas zone and may have been largely spent by the time known structures formed. Any Know or deeper traps in the basin will probably contain gas, be restricted to old structures (earlier than 300 Ma) or stratigraphic traps, and will hold pre-300 Ma generated hydrocarbons which subsequently cracked to gas.« less

Whole rock and isolated kerogen characterization studies: observations of sample type preparations upon petrographic and chemical characterization of New Albany Shale

Whole rock and isolated kerogen characterization studies: observations of sample type preparations upon petrographic and chemical characterization of New Albany Shale

Distribution and geochemical characteristics of metal enrichment in the New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian), Indiana

Black shale beds in the uppermost part of the Clegg Creek Member of the New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian) in southern Indiana have organic C contents from approximately 12 to 25 wt percent and are enriched in Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Mo, and V. Brownish-black to olive-black shale located lower in the formation has normal metal contents and organic C abundances up to 12 wt percent. Shale units lower in the section were deposited under anaerobic conditions, but C-S-Fe relationships and sulfur isotope values suggest that the H 2 S-O 2 boundary occurred near or at the sediment-water interface. Conversely, the carbon- and metal-rich beds near the top of the formation were deposited under strongly euxinic conditions with the chemocline located within the water column. Metal sulfide formation was limited by the availability of metals. A sharp increase in slope at 12 to 14 wt percent C organic is observed in organic C-metal plots and is related to organic carbon preservation and metal adsorption due to the presence of an H 2 S-bearing water column.Sequential chemical analyses and electron microprobe studies indicate that Zn, Cu, and Cd are held in sulfide minerals, Pb as a selenide, Mo both as a sulfide ( approximately 56-85%) and within kerogen (20%), Ni within kerogen (50%) and as a sulfide (45%), and V primarily within clay minerals. Petrographic studies also indicate that the beds in the upper part of the Clegg Creek Member are characterized by the highest proportion of inertinite and vitrinite found in the New Albany Shale.A conceptual model is developed whereby trace metals adsorbed on surfaces of organic material were preserved from release by oxidative degradation in the water column due to the high elevation of the H 2 S-O 2 boundary. Transition metal contents of the Clegg Creek Member may have been locally high due to an increase in the influx of terrestrial organic matter. Once delivered to the sea floor, metals took part in diagenetic reactions that produced metal sulfides and vanadiferous clays. Only Mo and Ni remained significantly enriched in kerogen. Although Ni and V contents are high in the soluble organic material from the shale, their abundance constitutes less than 1 percent each of the whole-rock metal content.

Systematic preparative methods for petroporphyrin purification

The isolation of porphyrins for geochemical research requires multistage concentrations from ≤0.1% to >95% purity. In meaningful studies of porphyrin concentration the criteria of enrichment, recovery, purity, and time, need to be considered. The present study was therefore undertaken with the aim of optimizing these parameters, in the systematic concentration of 31 ppm of mixed vanadyl porphyrins (VOP) from 2 kg of powdered New Albany shale. The following preparative scale operations were carried out: extraction, deasphaltation, medium-performance liquid chromatography (MPLC), precipitation, and solid phase bonded sulfonic acid (RSO 3 H) extraction, which are frequently used to precede high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The overall scheme gave a 9000-fold enrichment; 60% overall recovery, 23% pure VOP, and required approximately 80 h (2 weeks) of time

A lower carboniferous plant assemblage from La Serre (Montagne Noire, France). Part II. Gymnosperms

The Tournaisian plant assemblage from La Serre, Montagne Noire, France contains 21 elements which are assigned to the gymnosperms. They include stems of Calamopitys, petioles of Kalymma and small branched axes referable to Lyginorachis. Five types of foliage are identified of which two are preserved both as permineralization and compression. These are most comparable with species of “ Cyclopteris” Unger and represent some of the most common elements of the assemblage. The anatomy of this foliage is well preserved and is compared with previously described, permineralized foliage from the Montagne Noire. Six types of presumed reproductive organs are described from compression material. Four of these are suggested as having affinities with gymnosperms whilst two others are problematical. The flora from La Serre represents a different assemblage of plants from those seen elsewhere in the Montagne Noire although there are some elements which are undoubtedly common to all. This may be explained to some extent by the fact that the depositional sequence at La Serre represents a more near-shore depositional environment than outcrops of lydite found elsewhere in the Montagne Noire. The new data from La Serre confirms the floral similarities between the Montagne Noire in Southern France, the Cypridina Schiefer of Saalfeld, East Germany and the New Albany Shale in the U.S.A.

Petroleum Potential of the Upper Ordovician Maquoketa Group in Illinois: A Coordinated Geological and Geochemical Study: ABSTRACT

The Ordovician Maquoketa Group in Illinois, predominantly composed of shale, calcareous shale, and carbonates, has long been considered a potential source for Illinois basin hydrocarbons. Methods used to better define the petroleum potential of the Maquoketa in the Illinois basin were lithostratigraphic study, Rock-Eval (pyrolysis) analyses, comparison of molecular markers from whole-rock extracts and produced oil, and construction of burial history models. Organic-rich submature Maquoketa potential source rocks are present in western Illinois at shallow depths on the basin flank. Deeper in the basin in southern Illinois, Rock-Eval analyses indicate that the Maquoketa shale is within the oil window. Solvent extracts of the Maquoketa from western Illinois closely resemble the Devonian New Albany Shale, suggesting that past studies may have erroneously attributed Maquoketa-generated petroleum to a New Albany source or failed to identify mixed source oils. Subtle differences between Maquoketa and New Albany solvent extracts include differences in pristane/phytane ratios, proportions of steroids, and distribution of dimethyldibenzothiophene isomers. Maquoketa solvent extracts show little resemblance to Middle Ordovician oils from the Illinois or Michigan basins. Lithostratigraphic studies identified localized thick carbonate facies in the Maquoketa, suggesting depositional response to upper Ordovician paleostructures. Sandstone facies in the Maquoketa in southwestern Illinois offermore » a potential source/trap play, as well as serving as potential carrier beds for hydrocarbon migration. Maquoketa source and carrier beds may feed older Ordovician rocks in faulted areas along and south of the Cottage Grove fault system in southern Illinois.« less

Br-Cl-Na systematics in Illinois basin fluids: Constraints on fluid origin and evolution

The authors present here bromide, chloride, and sodium data for fluids from reservoirs of Ordovician through Pennsylvania age in the Illinois basic which suggest that remnant marine fluids contribute significantly to fluid Cl budgets. Cl/Br and NaBr ratios for Ordovician through Devonian formation fluids are relatively uniform and near those for seawater, despite greater than a factor of ten range in Cl concentration. In contrast, fluids from Mississippian and Pennsylvanian reservoirs, separated from older reservoirs by the New Albany Shale Group, have more variable fluid Cl/Br and Na/Br ratios, most of which are significantly greater then those of seawater. The 1:1 stoichiometry of Cl and Na increases for Mississippian and Pennsylvanian formation fluids is consistent with halite dissolution. Nevertheless, Br systematics and mass-balance considerations indicate that he overall Cl budget of Illinois basin formation fluids appears to be more significantly influenced by the contribution from subaerially evaporated seawater than by halite dissolution.

Geochemical and isotopic evidence for paleoredox conditions during deposition of the Devonian-Mississippian New Albany Shale, southern Indiana.

The upper part of the New Albany Shale is divided into three members. In ascending order, these are (1) the Morgan Trail Member, a laminated brownish-black shale; (2) the Camp Run Member, an interbedded brownish-black and greenish-gray shale; and (3) the Clegg Creek Member, also a laminated brownish-black shale. The Morgan Trail and Camp Run Members contain 5% to 6% total organic carbon (TOC) and 2% sulfide sulfur. Isotopic composition of sulfide in these members ranges from -5.0% to -20.0%. C/S plots indicate linear relationships between abundances of these elements, with a zero intercept characteristic of sediments deposited in a non-euxinic marine environment. Formation of diagenetic pyrite was carbon limited in these members. The Clegg Creek Member contains 10% to 15% TOC and 2% to 6% sulfide sulfur. Isotopic compositions of sulfide range from -5.0% to -40%. The most negative values occur in the uppermost Clegg Creek Member and are characteristic of syngenetic pyrite, formed within an anoxic water column. Abundances of carbon and sulfur are greater and uncorrelated in this member, consistent with deposition in as euxinic environment. In addition, DOP (degree of pyritization) values suggest that formation of pyrite was generally iron limited throughout Clegg Creek deposition, but sulfur isotopes indicate that syngenetic (water-column) pyrite becomes an important component in the sediment only in the upper part of the member. At the top of the Clegg Creek Member, a zone of phosphate nodules and trace-metal enrichment coincides with maximal TOC values. During euxinic deposition, phosphate and trace metals accumulated below the chemocline because of limited vertical circulation in the water column. Increased productivity would have resulted in an increased flux of particulate organic matter to the sediment, providing an effective sink for trace metals in the water column. Phosphate and trace metals released from organic matter during early diagenesis resulted in precipitation of metal-rich phosphate nodules.

The Henryville Bed of the New Albany shale—I. Preliminary characterization of the nickel and vanadyl porphyrins in the bitumen

The nickel, vanadium, Ni(II) porphyrin and VO(II) porphyrin concentrations in the bitumen of an organic rich sample of the Henryville Bed of the New Albany shale (Mississippian-Devonian; Indiana, U.S.A.) were determined. The bitumen contains 1776 μg nickel/g and 1550 μg vanadium/g bitumen. The porphyrin concentrations of 9900 μg/g and 9100 μg/g, respectively, are higher than those reported in most source rock bitumens or crude oils. The similar abundances of Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins indicates a depositional environment for this sample that is transitional between strongly anoxic (VO(II) porphyrins dominant) and less anoxic in which Ni(II) porphyrins dominate. The Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins in the bitumen occur as etioporphyrin (etio), deoxophylloerythroetioporphyrin (DPEP), and tetrahydrobenzo-DPEP (THBD) species in the order of abundance: etio>DPEP>THBD for Ni(II) and DPEP>etio>THBD for VO(II) porphyrins. The DPEP/etio ratios of 1.4 for the VO(II) series and 0.91 for the Ni(II) series and a Vitrinite reflectance of 0.5–0.6% are consistent with the organic matter in the New Albany shale being of intermediate maturity. The carbon-number distributions of the etio, DPEP, and THBD porphyrins of the two metals are very similar. This similarity and the fact that carbon numbers of both Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins extend at least to C 36 suggests that the Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins have originated via similar geochemical pathways in the New Albany shale. The major pathway appears to be release of the porphyrins during kerogen catagenesis.

Coal Rank Trends in Western Kentucky Coal Field and Relationship to Hydrocarbon Occurrence: ABSTRACT

Abstract Vitrinite maximum reflectance trends for the Middle Pennsylvanian Springfield (No. 9) coal bed in the Western Kentucky coalfield indicate that coal rank is high volatile A bituminous (0.70-0.85% Rmax) in portions of the Webster syncline in Webster and Union counties (south of the Rough Creek fault zone) and is generally high volatile C bituminous (<0.60% Rmax) in the remainder of the coalfield. Within the Webster syncline, the reflectance of the Springfield coal does not vary significantly despite a difference in elevation of nearly 300 m. Reflectance gradients in the Webster syncline are not well defined; reflectances are generally highest in the Baker (No. 13) coal bed and are lower in the underlying Herrin (No. 11) and Briar Hill (No. 10) coals. Rank trends from the Springfield data alone suggest pre-tectonic coalification, but the lack of well-defined reflectance gradients complicates this interpretation. Hydrothermal alteration may have been a significant cause of the coalification in this region. Previous investigations of coals in fault blocks have considered the role of hydrothermal mineralization in coalification. Southern Union and Webster counties are adjacent to the Fluorspar District, a region of extensive hydrothermal metamorphism. It is possible that convective heat transfer related to Fluorspar District mineralization led to vertical heterogeneity in the temperature profile and consequent metamorphic history. In Henderson County, north of the Rough Creek fault zone, coal rank is significantly lower, as low as 0.42% Rmax for the Springfield coal. Reflectance gradients are, again, poorly defined. Extensive oil and gas development has occurred in the high volatile C bituminous region to the north of the Rough Creek fault zone, whereas fewer pools, with lower production, are known within the Webster syncline to the south of the fault zone. The rank of the Middle Pennsylvanian coals can be used to estimate the level of maturation of the Devonian New Albany shale, a likely source rock for much of the oil and gas in the coalfield. Previous studies on the maturation of the New Albany shale, which lies about 1 km below the Springfield coal, indicate an equivalent medium volatile bituminous (1.0-1.2% Rm) rank in the Fluorspar District. New Albany rank decreases to an equivalent high volatile B/C (0.60% Rm) north of the Rough Creek fault zone. The significance of the New Albany reflectances is dependent on the level of suppression of vitrinite reflectance in organic-rich shales. The existence of reflectance suppression would imply that the shales could be more mature than studies to date have indicated. It is possible that the episodes of basin dewatering which influenced the coal rank south of the Rough Creek fault zone also flushed the potential oil reservoirs in the same region.

Tectonic and Flexural Significance of Middle Devonian Graben-Fill Sequence in New Albany Shale, Central Kentucky: ABSTRACT

The third tectonic phase of the Acadian orogeny began in the late Middle Devonian, and the sedimentary record of that event is largely restricted to the deeper, more proximal portions of the Appalachian foreland and Illinois intercratonic basins. Much of the intervening area, on and near the Cincinnati arch, was uplifted and subjected to erosion by movement on the peripheral bulge accompanying the initiation of the third tectonic phase. However, bulge movement also reactivated basement fault systems in Kentucky and created a series of grabens that were filled with eroded sediments and debris flows from adjacent horsts. Although rarely preserved, a buried Devonian graben along Carpenter Fork in Boyle County, central Kentucky, reveals such a sequence. The graben is bounded by upthrown blocks of Middle Devonian Boyle Dolomite, which also floors the graben. Within the graben a black-shale unit, apparently absent elsewhere, conformably overlies the Boyle and grades upward into debris-flow deposits represented by the Duffin breccia facies of the New Albany Shale. The Duffin contains clasts of the shale, as well as of chert, silicified fossils, and fine to boulder-size dolostone clasts eroded from the Boyle high on the flanks of the graben. The underlying shale also exhibits evidencemore » of penecontemporaneous soft-sediment deformation related to the debris-flow emplacement of Boyle residue in the graben and due to later loading by the Duffin.« less