A comprehensive study of shale intervals of Burgan Formation: implications for borehole stability
Subject Areas :Mohammad سلیمانی 1 , سعیده رعیت دوست 2
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Keywords: Burgan Formation Well bore stability Fissile shales Clay minerals,
Abstract :
Abstract This aims of this study is to characterize the Shale intervals of Burgan Formation from a borehole stability point of view. This paper describes the process and workflow for data-acquisition and interpretation in a shale formation characterization program and demonstrates not only the benefits of acquiring specific data, but also highlights the uses of the data to aid the exploration decision process. The next purpose of this paper is to provide a research process that can be applied in similar geological settings. In the study process, we collected a complete set of information and samples from the field and presented a detailed case study, including laboratorial studies of formation samples and interpretation of the information. Available samples and information sources from Burgan Formation include drillhole cores. The minerals were defined by direct and indirect methods. Bulk XRD analyses performed on core samples showed presence of traces of clay minerals. For determination of the exact clay mineral type, clay minerals were extracted and treated by heat and ethylene glycol saturation. Treated samples were subjected to XRD analyses. Interpretation of the natural gamma spectrometry logs allowed the determination of the type and content of clay minerals. In a next step, in order to study the distribution of minerals types, SEM photomicrographs and Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the samples were carried out. The results revealed that shale intervals of Burgan Formation are not expandable clays. The instability problem cannot be completely solved by drilling fluid design. The study shows, different approached methods reached the same results.