Utilizing smear mounts for X-ray diffraction as a fully quantitative approach in rapidly characterizing the mineralogy of shale gas reservoirs

E O Munson; Gareth R L Chalmers; R M Bustin; K Li

doi:10.1016/j.juogr.2016.01.001

$Utilizing smear mounts for X-ray diffraction as a fully quantitative approach in rapidly characterizing the mineralogy of shale gas reservoirs$

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Utilizing smear mounts for X-ray diffraction as a fully quantitative approach in rapidly characterizing the mineralogy of shale gas reservoirs

E O Munson, Gareth R L Chalmers, R M Bustin and K Li

Journal of Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources, Vol.14, pp.22-31

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juogr.2016.01.001

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Abstract

XRDShale gas

smear mount

Duvernay

Eagle Ford

X-ray diffraction (XRD) sample preparation methods were compared for fine grained reservoir rocks. The viability of using a hand ground, smear mount method was investigated compared to the widely used micronized, cavity mount method of sample preparation for quantitative phase analysis. Micronizing a sample before analyzing by XRD has been used successfully to reduce the average crystallite size to 10 μm. However, because of the fine grained nature of shale gas reservoirs, the average crystallite size is already below 10 μm. Therefore, the sample only requires disaggregation of larger particles which is easily accomplished by hand grinding. Samples were prepared using smear and cavity mount methods to compare the differences in quantitative phase abundances determined by Rietveld refinement. In addition, samples of known composition were prepared to assess the accuracy and precision of the methods. Quantitative analysis on whole rock samples shows excellent precision between the methods of sample preparation with an absolute error of ±2.25 wt.% at the 95% confidence level per individual phase. Quantitative analysis on artificially prepared samples using the smear mount method shows both excellent precision and accuracy with an absolute error of ±0.9 wt.% at the 95% confidence level per individual phase. A hand ground, smear mount method is therefore a quantitative and viable method for quickly assessing the mineralogy of shale gas reservoirs and fine grained rocks.

Details

Title: Utilizing smear mounts for X-ray diffraction as a fully quantitative approach in rapidly characterizing the mineralogy of shale gas reservoirs
Authors: E O Munson (Author) - University of British Columbia, Canada
Gareth R L Chalmers (Author) - Royal Dutch Shell Ltd, Canada
R M Bustin (Author) - University of British Columbia, Canada
K Li (Author) - University of British Columbia, Canada
Publication details: Journal of Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources, Vol.14, pp.22-31
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.juogr.2016.01.001
ISSN: 2213-3976
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450611902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Industry collaboration; Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Petroleum