Microscopy of Pore Types in the Belata Black Shales: Implications of Gas Storage

Esther Boateng Owusu, Ebenezer Ansah, Rabiatu Abubakar, Bennet Nii Tackie-Otoo

Abstract


Rock properties like permeability, toughness and durability can be examined through pore structures. Randomly selected 22 black shale samples from the Belata formation were studied to identify their morphology and pore structures with the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).The analysis identified four main types of microstructures (pores) in nanoscale. These are mainly the inter-particle microstructures, organic microstructures, micro-fractures and intra-particle structures. The inter-particle microstructures occur between clay and quartz particles and the organic microstructures are large enough to accommodate gas molecules.


Keywords


Pore structure; Shale gas; Scanning Electron Microscope; Belata Formation; Black Shale

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References


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