Mineralogy of Shale Gas and Other Low Permeability Reservoirs

Dear Colleagues,

Shale gas reservoirs and other low permeability rocks have become significant contributors to global hydrocarbon production in the past two decades, with shale gas contributing up to 30% of the world’s natural gas supply by 2040. Shale gas production is complex because of the combination of geological processes that control the reservoir characteristics. These processes include primary depositional environment, diagenetic processes (mineral and organic), and structural processes. The mineralogy of shale gas reservoirs and other tight reservoirs is an important characteristic that governs whether a shale play will be successfully developed, as the mineral composition controls, in part, the pore system that dictates the hydrocarbon density and natural permeability of these rocks. The mineralogy has significant influence on the geomechanical properties of the reservoirs, and the ability for these rocks to be fractured to increase permeability to economic rates. Mineral composition and texture also have a large impact on the geochemistry of the produced fluids, as hydraulic fracture fluids interact with the reservoir’s minerals and pore fluids. The impact mineralogy has on produced water geochemistry has large implications on water treatment, recycling, and social license to develop these resources.

This Special Issue aims to publish papers that explore the role that primary and secondary minerals in low permeability reservoirs (shale, mudstones, siltstone, and tight sandstones) have on the development of the porosity, permeability, and geomechanics. Research that investigates the influence that the mineral composition and texture have on the geochemistry of produced water are also welcome.

Dr. Gareth Chalmers
Guest Editor

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