Microstructure Characterization of a Biogenic Shale Gas Formation—Insights from the Antrim Shale, Michigan Basin

Kouqi Liu; Natalia Zakharova; Thomas Gentzis; Adedoyin Adeyilola; Humberto Carvajal-Ortiz; Hallie Fowler

doi:10.1007/s12583-020-1344-4

Volume 31 Issue 6

Dec 2020

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Journal of Earth Science > 2020 > 31(6): 1229-1240.

Kouqi Liu, Natalia Zakharova, Thomas Gentzis, Adedoyin Adeyilola, Humberto Carvajal-Ortiz, Hallie Fowler. Microstructure Characterization of a Biogenic Shale Gas Formation—Insights from the Antrim Shale, Michigan Basin. Journal of Earth Science, 2020, 31(6): 1229-1240. doi: 10.1007/s12583-020-1344-4

Citation:

Kouqi Liu, Natalia Zakharova, Thomas Gentzis, Adedoyin Adeyilola, Humberto Carvajal-Ortiz, Hallie Fowler. Microstructure Characterization of a Biogenic Shale Gas Formation—Insights from the Antrim Shale, Michigan Basin. Journal of Earth Science, 2020, 31(6): 1229-1240. doi: 10.1007/s12583-020-1344-4

Citation:

Kouqi Liu, Natalia Zakharova, Thomas Gentzis, Adedoyin Adeyilola, Humberto Carvajal-Ortiz, Hallie Fowler. Microstructure Characterization of a Biogenic Shale Gas Formation—Insights from the Antrim Shale, Michigan Basin. Journal of Earth Science, 2020, 31(6): 1229-1240. doi: 10.1007/s12583-020-1344-4

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Microstructure Characterization of a Biogenic Shale Gas Formation—Insights from the Antrim Shale, Michigan Basin

doi: 10.1007/s12583-020-1344-4

1.
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
2.
Core Laboratories, Reservoir Geology Group, Houston, TX 77040, USA

More Information

Corresponding author: Liu Kouqi, liu3k@cmich.edu
Received Date: 15 Dec 2019
Accepted Date: 01 May 2020
Publish Date: 18 Dec 2020

Abstract

Abstract

Biogenic gas shales, predominantly microbial in origin, form an important class of organic-rich shale reservoirs with a significant economic potential. Yet large gaps remain in the understanding of their gas generation, storage, and transport mechanisms, as previous studies have been largely focused on mature thermogenic shale reservoirs. In this study, the pore structure of 18 Antrim Shale samples was characterized using gas adsorption (CO₂ and N₂). The results show that most of the Antrim Shale samples are rich in organic matter content (0.58 wt.% to 14.15 wt.%), with highest values found in the Lachine and Norwood members. Samples from the Paxton Member, characterized by lower organic content, have smaller micropore surface area and micropore volume but larger meso-macro pore surface area and volume. The deconvolution results of the pore size distribution from the N₂ adsorption indicate that all of the tested Antrim Shale samples have similar pore groups. Organic matter in the Antrim Shale hosts micro pores instead of meso-macro pores, while clay minerals host both micro and meso-macro pores. Mineral-related pores play a primary role in the total porosity. The biogenic Antrim Shale, therefore, has different pore structures from other well-studied thermogenic gas shales worldwide.
- gas adsorption,
- Antrim Shale,
- biogenic shale,
- organic matter

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References(42)

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