A study of chemical interactions between the Marcellus shale and attapulgite and bentonite clays

Chemical interactions occur between water based muds and shale formations. These shale-fluid interactions are often associated with problems that arise when drilling. This paper presents results from a study investigating chemical interactions that occurred between the Marcellus shale and attapulgite and bentonite clays. The aim of this project was to determine if there were particular elemental changes that could be directly associated with either an attapulgite or bentonite clay. In this study, samples from two wells in West Virginia were analyzed. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to observe the surface of each sample, and an INCA X-Ray Microanalysis System (EDX) provided a quantitative chemical composition analysis of the samples as well. There is large mineralogical variability among the Marcellus shale thus leading to variation among the mineral composition of the studied samples.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Naryka, Virginia Price

Contributors dc:contributor

• H. Ilkin Bilgesu
• Sam Ameri
• Kashy Aminian

• Petroleum engineering
• Geological engineering

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/432

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1435