Mudstone Microfabrics and Pore Networks: Gulf Coast Analogs
William C. Dawson, William R. Almon, and Laura M. Vestal
Chevron ETC, 3901 Briarpark Dr., Houston, Texas 77042
The intrinsic heterogeneity of mudstones contributes to substantial variability in
rock properties and reservoir attributes. A major factor that contributes to this variability
is microfabric (i.e., grain alignment, packing, and sorting) of the matrix, which, inturn,
influences the character of the pore network. Mudstone microfabric is the endresult
of both sedimentologic and diagenetic processes; bioturbation, permeable silt laminae,
compaction, and cementation-replacement can induce heterogeneities, and thereby
enhance or degrade mudstone reservoir quality. Pore types
, pore sizes, and pore connectivity
vary with differences in mudstone fabric and diagenetic/burial history. Rather
than studying individual nanometer-size pores, this study focuses on the larger-scale
aspects of mudstone pore networks. Shale microfabric variability can be understood in
the context of shale microfacies analysis and
well
-log scale sequence stratigraphy. Each
shale microfacies has limited stratigraphic occurrence where considered within a highresolution
(log-scale) sequence-stratigraphic framework.
High-pressure mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) analysis offers a consistent
methodology for determining porosity and permeability in mudstones. Mudstones
exhibiting different thin section- and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-scale
microfabrics have distinctive MICP profiles that are related to pore system connectivity
as controlled by differences in sorting of pore throat sizes and matrix elements. MICP
analyses permits quantification of shale pore networks and, when integrated with results
of thin section and SEM studies, allows establishment of relationships between fabric
and a variety of other geologic variables (e.g., mineralogy, total organic content, grain
size, sorting, and fossil content). Pores in mudstones occur within both inorganic matrix
and scattered organic particles. Our studies of Gulf Coast Tertiary- and Mesozoic-aged
shales show that intercrystalline (i.e., phyllosilicate) micro- and nannopores and interparticle
micropores are abundant, and often, are the dominant elements of mudstone
pore networks. Intercrystalline pores, where interconnected, appear to form SEM-scale
micro-channels. Intracrystalline and intra-organic pores are present, but are not the
dominant pore types
. Integrated SEM and MICP analyses indicate that bimodal pore
networks are a common aspect of silt-rich mudstones. Silt-sized siliciclastic and bioclastic
components are seen at thin section- and SEM-scales to disrupt compaction, thus
allowing preservation of interparticle micro- to mesopores. Secondary (dissolution) micropores
also occur in some mudstones. Although their volumetric contribution appears
relatively minor, such relatively large matrix pores probably improve mudstone reservoir
potential. Maximum effectiveness of mudstone pore networks is observed in mudstones
having total silt contents exceeding 20 percent. Where organized as laminations
or burrow networks, silt-sized components can significantly enhance horizontal permeability.
Silt-rich mudstones and argillaceous siltstones typify upper parts of coarsening
upward mudstone depositional cycles.
Pore types
, pore sizes, pore connectivity, and organic content are known to vary
with mudstone fabric and ultimately, are related to mudstone lithofacies. Mudstone
microfacies exhibit strong statistical correlations between microfabric and MICP data.
Consequently, micro-textural (thin section and SEM) observations, correlated to
well
-log
character/rock-typing, where integrated with porosity-permeability data, and image
analysis result in the recognition of ‘mudstone petrotypes,’ which appear to link with
reservoir performance. These analyses provide a geological basis for understanding and
mapping vertical and lateral differences in observed mudstone properties, and ultimately,
development of models for unconventional reservoirs. Ultimately, failure to recognize,
document and understand microfabric heterogeneities could contribute to erroneous
economic assessment of unconventional gas plays.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90158©2012 GCAGS and GC-SEPM 6nd Annual Convention, Austin, Texas, 21-24 October 2012