Compressional velocity and porosity in sand‐clay mixtures

Geophysics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Marion ◽  
A. Nur ◽  
H. Yin ◽  
D. Han
Keyword(s):  
Pore Space ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Geometrical Model ◽  
Velocity Versus ◽  
Filling Material ◽  
Ottawa Sand ◽  
Unconsolidated Sand ◽  
Confining Pressures ◽  
Clay Matrix ◽  
Compressional Velocity

Laboratory measurements of porosity and compressional velocity were conducted on unconsolidated brine saturated clean Ottawa sand, pure kaolinite, and their mixtures at various confining pressures. A peak in P velocity versus clay content in unconsolidated sand‐clay mixtures at 40 percent clay by weight was found. The peak in velocity is 20–30 percent higher than for either pure clay or clean sand. A minimum in porosity versus clay content at 20–40 percent clay by weight is also observed. Such behavior is explained using a micro‐geometrical model for mixtures of sand and clay in which two classes of sediments are considered: (1) sands and shaley sands, in which clay is dispersed in the pore space of load bearing sand and thus reduces porosity and increases the elastic moduli of the pore‐filling material and (2) shales and sandy shales, in which sand grains are dispersed in a clay matrix. For these sediments, the model reproduces the extrema in velocity and porosity and accounts for much of the scatter in the velocity‐porosity relationship.

Wave Velocities in Sediments

1990 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Marion ◽  
Amos Nur ◽  
Hezhu Yin
Keyword(s):  
Pore Space ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Velocity Versus ◽  
Critical Porosity ◽  
Porous Sandstone ◽  
Linear Fit ◽  
Compressional Velocity

ABSTRACTSystematic relations between porosity and compressional velocity Vp in the three component (sand, grains, clay and brine) systems (1) porous sandstone, (2) sands, and (3) suspensions, were obtained using experimental data and models. In Cemented Shaley Sandstones Vp was found to correlate linearly with porosity and clay content. The velocities in clean sandstones are about 7% higher than those predicted by the linear fit, indicating that a small amount of clay significantly reduces the elastic moduli of sandstones.For uncemented shaley sand, a model for the dependence of sonic velocity and porosity on clay content and compaction was developed for sand with clay dispersed in the pore space and for shale with suspened sand grains. The model closely mimics the experimentally observed minimum for porosity and the peak in velocity versus clay content. The results explain much of the scatter in velocity data in-situ. Velocity in suspensions at ϕ = 39% of grains in brine is close to values predicted by the Reuss (Isostress) average. Velocity dispersion, as suggested by Biot (1956 a,b) is calculated and observed in coarser sediments such as sand, whereas velocities in the finer clay and silt follow Biot's low frequency value.In total, our results provide the complete dependence of velocity on porosity in brine saturated sediment with clays, ranging from pure quartz to pure clay and water. Our results also highlight the crucial role of the critical porosity ϕ at about 39%, and the transition from cemented to uncemented sands.

The Pressure Dependence of the Archie Cementation Exponent for Samples from the Ordovician Goldwyer Shale Formation in Australia

SPE Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Zhiqi Zhong ◽  
Lionel Esteban ◽  
Reza Rezaee ◽  
Matthew Josh ◽  
Runhua Feng
Keyword(s):  
Pore Size Distribution ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Complex Impedance ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Shale Formations ◽  
Fluid Saturation ◽  
Confining Pressures ◽  
Log Interpretation

Summary Applying the realistic cementation exponent (m) in Archie’s equation is critical for reliable fluid-saturation calculation from well logs in shale formations. In this study, the cementation exponent was determined under different confining pressures using a high-salinity brine to suppress the surface conductivity related to the cation-exchange capacity of clay particles. A total of five Ordovician shale samples from the Canning Basin, Australia, were used for this study. The shale samples are all illite-rich with up to 60% clay content. Resistivity and porosity measurements were performed under a series of confining pressures (from 500 to 8,500 psi). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to obtain porosity and pore-size distribution and to detect the presence of residual oil. The complex impedance of samples was determined at 1 kHz to verify the change in pore-size distribution using the POLARIS model (Revil and Florsch 2010). The variation of shale resistivity and the Archie exponent m at different pressures is caused by the closure of microfractures at 500 psi, the narrowing of mesopores/macropores between 500 and 3,500 psi, and the pore-throat reduction beyond 3,500 psi. This study indicates that unlike typical reservoirs, the Archie exponent m for shale is sensitive to depth of burial because of the soft nature of the shale pore system. An equation is developed to predict m under different pressures after microfracture closure. Our study provides recommended experimental procedures for the calculation of the Archie exponent m for shales, leading to improved accuracy for well-log interpretation within shale formations when using Archie-basedequations.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Microbial Formation of Nitrate-Nitrogen in Soil and Their Effects on Fertilizer Nitrogen Use Efficiency

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 122-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Olness ◽  
Dian Lopez ◽  
David Archer ◽  
Jason Cordes ◽  
Colin Sweeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Soil Clay ◽  
Soil Clay Content

Mineralization of soil organic matter is governed by predictable factors with nitrate-N as the end product. Crop production interrupts the natural balance, accelerates mineralization of N, and elevates levels of nitrate-N in soil. Six factors determine nitrate-N levels in soils: soil clay content, bulk density, organic matter content, pH, temperature, and rainfall. Maximal rates of N mineralization require an optimal level of air-filled pore space. Optimal air-filled pore space depends on soil clay content, soil organic matter content, soil bulk density, and rainfall. Pore space is partitioned into water- and air-filled space. A maximal rate of nitrate formation occurs at a pH of 6.7 and rather modest mineralization rates occur at pH 5.0 and 8.0. Predictions of the soil nitrate-N concentrations with a relative precision of 1 to 4 μg N g–1of soil were obtained with a computerized N fertilizer decision aid. Grain yields obtained using the N fertilizer decision aid were not measurably different from those using adjacent farmer practices, but N fertilizer use was reduced by >10%. Predicting mineralization in this manner allows optimal N applications to be determined for site-specific soil and weather conditions.

The Effect of Capillary Condensation on the Geomechanical and Acoustic Properties of Tight Formations: An Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamer Albannay ◽  
Binh Bui ◽  
Daisuke Katsuki
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Capillary Condensation ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Point Pressure ◽  
Tight Formations ◽  
Dew Point Pressure ◽  
Compressional Velocity

Abstract Capillary condensation is the condensation of the gas inside nano-pore space at a pressure lower than the bulk dew point pressure as the result of multilayer adsorption due to the high capillary pressure inside the small pore throat of unconventional rocks. The condensation of liquid in nano-pore space of rock changes its mechanical and acoustic properties. Acoustic properties variation due to capillary condensation provides us a tool to monitor phase change in reservoir as a result of nano-confinement as well as mapping the area where phase change occurs as well as characterize pore size distribution. This is particularly important for tight formations where confinement has a strong effect on phase behavior that is challenging to measure experimentally. Theoretical studies have examined the effects of capillary condensation; however, these findings have not been verified experimentally. The main objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the effect of capillary condensation on the mechanical and acoustic properties of shale samples. The mechanical and acoustic characterization of the samples was carried out experimentally using a state-of-the-art tri-axial facility at the Colorado School of Mines. The experimental set-up is capable of the simultaneous acquisition of coupled stress, strain, resistivity, acoustic and flow data. Carbon dioxide was used as the pore pressure fluid in these experiments. After a comprehensive characterization of shale samples, experiments were conducted by increasing the pore pressure until condensation occurs while monitoring the mechanical and acoustic properties of the sample to quantify the effect of capillary condensation on the mechanical and acoustic properties of the sample. Experimental data show a 5% increase in Young's Modulus as condensation occurs. This increase is attributed to the increase in pore stiffness as condensation occurs reinforcing the grain contact. An initial decrease in compressional velocity was observed as pore pressure increases before condensation occurs which is attributed to the expansion of the pore volume when pore pressure increases. After this initial decrease, compressional velocity slightly increases at a pressure around 750 - 800 psi which is close to the condensation pressure. We also observed a noticeable increase in shear velocity when capillary condensation occurs, this could be due to the immobility of the condensed liquid phase at the pore throats. The changes of geomechanical and acoustic signatures were observed at around 750 - 800 psi at 27°C, which is the dew point pressure of the fluid in the nano-pore space of the sample at this temperature. While the unconfined bulk dew point pressure of carbon dioxide at the same temperature is 977 psi. Hence, this study marks the first measurement of the dew point of fluid in nano-pore space and potentially leads to the construction of the phase envelope of fluid under confinement.

scholarly journals Physical and Mechanical Properties of a Bulk Lightweight Concrete with Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Beads and Soft Marine Clay

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianguo Wang ◽  
Bowen Hu ◽  
Jia Hwei Soon
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Cement Content ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Expanded Polystyrene ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Filling Material ◽  
Confining Pressures

The variation of physical and mechanical properties of the lightweight bulk filling material with cement and expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads contents under different confining pressures is important to construction and geotechnical applications. In this study, a lightweight bulk filling material was firstly fabricated with Singapore marine clay, ordinary Portland cement and EPS. Then, the influences of EPS beads content, cement content, curing time and confining pressure on the mass density, stress–strain behavior and compressive strength of this lightweight bulk filling material were investigated by unconsolidated and undrained (UU) triaxial tests. In these tests, the mass ratios of EPS beads to dry clay (E/S) were 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4% and the mass ratios of cement to dry clay (C/S) were 10% and 15%. Thirdly, a series of UU triaxial tests were performed at a confining pressure of 0 kPa, 50 kPa, 100 kPa, and 150 kPa after three curing days, seven curing days, and 28 curing days. The results show that the mass density of this lightweight bulk filling material was mainly controlled by the E/S ratio. Its mass density decreased by 55.6% for the C/S ratio 10% and 54.9% for the C/S ratio 15% when the E/S ratio increased from 0% to 4% after three curing days. Shear failure more easily occurred in the specimens with higher cement content and lower confining pressure. The relationships between compressive strength and mass density or failure strain could be quantified by the power function. Increasing cement content and reducing EPS beads content will increase mass density and compressive strength of this lightweight bulk filling material. The compressive strength with curing time can be expressed by a logarithmic function with fitting correlation coefficient ranging from 0.83 to 0.97 for five confining pressures. These empirical formulae will be useful for the estimation of physical and mechanical properties of lightweight concretes in engineering application.

Velocity–porosity–mineralogy trends in chalk and consolidated carbonate rocks

2019 ◽  
Vol 219 (1) ◽  
pp. 662-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Dvorkin ◽  
Abrar Alabbad
Keyword(s):  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Elastic Wave Velocity ◽  
Velocity Versus ◽  
Shear Moduli ◽  
Diagenetic Alteration ◽  
Medium Porosity ◽  
Physics Model ◽  
Rock Physics Model

SUMMARY Published laboratory elastic-wave velocity versus porosity data in carbonate rocks exhibit significant scatter even at a fixed mineralogy. This scatter is usually attributed to the strong variability in the rock-frame or pore-space geometry, which, in turn, is driven by the richness and complexity of diagenetic alteration in these very reactive sediments. Yet, by examining wireline data from oil-bearing high-to-medium porosity chalk deposits, we find surprisingly tight velocity–porosity trends. Moreover, these trends are continued into the low-porosity domain by data from a location thousands of miles away from the chalk field. This congruence implies a universality of diagenetic trends, at least in the massive deposits under examination. We also find that the elastic bulk and shear moduli of the pure-calcite end member are somewhat smaller than such values reported in the literature. Using the end-member elastic constants relevant to the data under examination, we establish a theoretical rock physics model to match and generalize these data.

Predicting lithology and transport properties from acoustic velocities based on petrophysical classification of siliciclastics

Geophysics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Vernik
Keyword(s):  
Transport Properties ◽  
Velocity Ratio ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Unconsolidated Sediments ◽  
Velocity Versus ◽  
Critical Porosity ◽  
Porosity Reduction ◽  
Lithology Prediction ◽  
Acoustic Velocities

Based on the recently developed petrophysical classification of siliciclastics, which takes into account the amount of the volumetric clay content C and textural position of clay, it is shown that acoustic velocities can be fairly accurate tools in predicting lithology, porosity, and ultimately, transport properties of these rocks. Four major petrophysical groups of carbonate‐ and organic‐poor siliciclastics are distinguished: (1) clean arenites (C < 2 percent), (2) arenites and arkoses (C = 2–15 percent), (3) wackes (C = 15–35 percent), and (4) shales (C > 35 percent). The compressional velocity versus porosity relation for consolidated rocks in each of these groups is found to be linear with very high correlation coefficients. This allows for remarkably accurate porosity estimates or lithology prediction in consolidated siliciclastics from acoustic velocities compared to the widely used time average (Wyllie) equation or its improved modification (Raymer equations), both of which neglect textural factors, or recently proposed relations based on the critical porosity concept. The transforms proposed display fundamental trends subject to only a second‐order regional effects, such as details of mineralogy, grain size distribution, and authigenic clay development. These trends primarily reflect the processes of chemical diagenesis, including pressure solution, cementation, and mineral phase transformation. The processes of lithification of unconsolidated sediments by physical compaction and initial cementation are characterized by a steeper slope of the velocity‐porosity transform because of a more pronounced velocity increase compared to the porosity reduction at this stage. The use of the [Formula: see text] ratio versus velocity relation for lithology prediction is limited compared to the [Formula: see text] versus porosity plots; however, if both porosity and lithology are unknown, the velocity ratio can still be used for discriminating between predominantly grain‐supported reservoir rocks (clean arenite, arenite and arkose) and clay matrix‐supported (wacke, shale) rocks. Finally, a strong correlation between porosity and permeability of clean arenites is weakened somewhat in arenites. Nonetheless, even in the latter case, an order of magnitude accuracy in permeability assessment based on porosity can be achieved.

scholarly journals The influence of clay-sized particles on seismic velocity for Canadian Arctic permafrost

1984 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. King
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Compressional Wave ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
Compressional Wave Velocity ◽  
Confining Stress ◽  
Ice Content

Seismic-wave velocities have been measured on 37 unconsolidated permafrost samples as a function of temperature in the range -16 to +5 °C. The samples, taken from a number of locations in the Canadian Arctic islands, the Beaufort Sea, and the Mackenzie River valley, were tighty sealed immediately upon recovery in several layers of polyethylene film and maintained in their frozen state during storage, specimen preparation, and until they were tested under controlled environmental conditions. During testing, the specimens were subjected to a constant hydrostatic confining stress of 0.35 MPa (50 psi) under drained conditions. At no stage was a deviatoric stress applied to the permafrost specimens. The fraction of clay-sized particles in the test specimens varied from almost zero to approximately 65%. At temperatures below -2 °C the compressional-wave velocity was observed to be a strong function of the fraction of clay-sized particles, but only a weak function of porosity. At temperatures above 0 °C the compressional-wave velocity was observed to be a function only of porosity, with virtually no dependence upon the fraction of clay-sized particles. Calculation of the fractional ice content of the permafrost pore space from the Kuster and Toksöz theory showed that for a given fraction of clay-sized particles the ice content increases with an increase in porosity. It is concluded that the compressional-wave velocity for unconsolidated permafrost from the Canadian Arctic is a function of the water-filled porosity, irrespective of the original porosity, clay content, or temperature.

scholarly journals Variations in the morphology of porosity in the Boom Clay Formation: insights from 2D high resolution BIB-SEM imaging and Mercury injection Porosimetry

2013 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hemes ◽  
G. Desbois ◽  
J.L. Urai ◽  
M. De Craen ◽  
M. Honty
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Pore Throat ◽  
Boom Clay ◽  
Mineral Phases ◽  
Mercury Injection ◽  
Clay Matrix ◽  
Sem Imaging

AbstractBoom Clay is considered as one of the potential host rocks for the disposal of high level and/or long lived radioactive waste in a geological formation in Belgium (Mol study site, Mol-1 borehole) and the Netherlands. The direct characterisation of the pore space is essential to help understand the transport properties of radionuclides in argillaceous materials.This contribution aims to characterise and compare the morphology of the pore space in different Boom Clay samples, representing end-members with regard to mineralogy (i.e. clay content) and grain-size distribution of this formation. Broad ion beam (BIB) cross-sectioning is combined with SEM imaging of porosity and Mercury injection Porosimetry (MIP) to characterise the variability of the pore space in Boom Clay at the nm- to μm-scale within representative 2D areas and to relate microstructural observations to fluid flow properties of the bulk sample material. Segmented pores in 2D BIB surfaces are classified according to the mineralogy, generating representative datasets of up to 100,000 pores per cross-section.Results show total SEM-resolved porosities of 10-20% and different characteristic mineral phase internal pore morphologies and intra-phase porosities.Most of the nano-porosity resides in the clay matrix. In addition, in the silt-rich samples, larger inter-aggregate pores contribute to a major part of the resolved porosity. Pore-size distributions within the clay matrix suggest power-law behaviour of pore areas with exponents between 1.56-1.74. Mercury injection Porosimetry, with access to pore-throat diameters down to 3.6 nm, shows total interconnected porosities between 27-35 Vol.-%, and the observed hysteresis in the MIP intrusion vs. extrusion curves suggests relatively high pore-body to pore-throat ratios in Boom Clay. The difference between BIB-SEM visible and MIP measured porosities is explained by the resolution limit of the BIB-SEM method, as well as the limited size of the BIB-polished cross-section areas analysed. Compilation of the results provides a conceptual model of the pore network in fine- and coarse-grained samples of Boom Clay, where different mineral phases show characteristic internal porosities and pore morphologies and the overall pore space can be modelled based on the distribution of these mineral phases, as well as the grain-size distribution of the samples investigated.

scholarly journals Refinement of the petrophysical model of the Achimov formation based on facial analysis of sedimentation conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-31
Author(s):  
Guzel R. Vahitova ◽  
Anzhela A. Kazaryan ◽  
Timur F. Khaybullin
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Facies Analysis ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Space Structure ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
The Core ◽  
Promising Source

Aim. Due to the depletion of reserves of the main oil and gas complexes, the greatest interest is attributed to hard-to-recover reserves, complex-built objects of the sedimentary cover, the development of which was unprofitable until recently. One of these is the oil-bearing complex of the Achimov deposits of the Malobalykskoye field in Western Siberia. This article is devoted to the facies analysis and typification of reservoir rocks of the Achimov deposits in order to increase the reliability of determining the boundaries of the reservoirs, their interpretation and assessment of the petrophysical properties of the reservoirs. At the same time, special attention is paid to the facies analysis, which determines the characteristics of the reservoir. The Achimov deposits are a promising source of increasing resources and maintaining production at a high level. With their increasing importance, there are problems that complicate the search and assessment of deposits. Such problems include a high degree of reservoir compartmentalization, sharp facies variability, complex pore space structure, high clay content, low permeability values, etc. Materials and methods. The work is based on a comprehensive interpretation of the data of the lithological description of the core, the results of laboratory studies of the core and well logging data analysis of the Achimov deposits of the Malobalykskoye field. The methods used in the interpretation of GIS data, statistical analysis, comparison. Due to the fact that the reservoir properties of sand bodies are determined by the peculiarities of their formation in different conditions of sedimentation, it is necessary to establish a relationship between the petrophysical characteristics of rocks and their facies nature by substantiating petrofacies models. The use of the latter in geological modeling makes it possible to more effectively predict the reservoir properties (reservoir properties) of various facies lithotypes. Results. The paper presents the results of facies analysis and typification of the reservoirs of the Achimov deposits of the Malobalykskoye field, on the basis of which the boundaries of the reservoirs and the effective oilsaturated thicknesses were refined. Conclusions. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that it is necessary to develop refined petrophysical models for reservoirs with complex geological structure that take into account the facies features of rocks.

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