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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 79 (1995)

Issue: 4. (April)

First Page: 563

Last Page: 573

Title: Clay Microporosity in Reservoir Sandstones: An Application of Quantitative Electron Microscopy in Petrophysical Evaluation

Author(s): Andrew Hurst (2), Paul H. Nadeau (3)

Abstract:

Clay mineral microporosity in sandstones is measured using computer-assisted image analysis of back-scattered electron micrographs of petrographic sections. Diagenetic kaolinite has a variety of textures with microporosity values ranging from 15 to 61%. Diagenetic chlorite has a generally uniform grain-coating texture and microporosity of about 50%. Fibrous illitic clays are difficult to characterize by the same method (an average value of 63% microporosity was recorded), but analysis of stereo-pair micrographs from scanning-electron microscopy analyses reveals that illite commonly has microporosity of approximately 90%. Clay microporosity data are used to calculate effective pore volumes and volumes of clay-bound water for clay minerals in sandstones. Converting from wei ht percent clay to volume percent clay is important. Microporosity data are valuable input to Vshale evaluation where water saturation is associated with clay mineral type, texture, and volume.

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