Organic hosted porosity in the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale: A combined electron microscopy and neutron scattering approach

C. Delle Piane, H. Ansari, W. Rickard, M. Saunders, J. Mata, D. N. Dewhurst

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

The upper Ordovician Wufeng shale and lower Silurian Longmaxi shale are part of the Fuling shale gas play located in the south-eastern part of the Sichuan Basin, southern China, representing the first commercial shale gas production project outside North America. We studied the occurrence of porosity at micro- and nano-scale in samples of contrasting organic richness from the post‐mature part of the Wufeng-Longmaxi gas play. Using a combination of high resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy and small angle neutron scattering we highlight the impact of different types of organic matter (primary versus migrated) on the development of organic matter (OM)-hosted porosity. The results indicate that the overall porosity in the samples is proportional to the organic richness, although the nanoscale imaging revealed that OM-hosted porosity is preferentially present in the migrated bitumen and not in the primary detrital particles. Distinguishing between primary and migrated OM is therefore important for understanding the creation of an interconnected network of OM during hydrocarbon migration. This may have an important control on the estimation of gas in place and the transport properties of the shale.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication6th EAGE Shale Workshop
PublisherEuropean Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE
ISBN (Electronic)9789462822870
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019
Event6th EAGE Shale Workshop - Bordeaux, France
Duration: 28 Apr 20191 May 2019

Publication series

Name6th EAGE Shale Workshop

Conference

Conference6th EAGE Shale Workshop
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityBordeaux
Period28/04/191/05/19

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