Pore Structure Characterization and the Controlling Factors of the Bakken Formation

Yuming Liu, Bo Shen, Zhiqiang Yang and Peiqiang Zhao
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Yuming Liu: State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
Bo Shen: Geophysics and Oil Resource Institute, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
Zhiqiang Yang: Exploration & Development Research Institute of Liaohe Oilfield Company, Petrochina, Panjin 124000, China
Peiqiang Zhao: Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: The Bakken Formation is a typical tight oil reservoir and oil production formation in the world. Pore structure is one of the key factors that determine the accumulation and production of the hydrocarbon. In order to study the pore structures and main controlling factors of the Bakken Formation, 12 samples were selected from the Bakken Formation and conducted on a set of experiments including X-ray diffraction mineral analysis (XRD), total organic carbon (TOC), vitrinite reflectance (R o ), and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption experiments. Results showed that the average TOC and R o of Upper and Lower Bakken shale is 10.72 wt% and 0.86%, respectively. The Bakken Formation develops micropores, mesopores, and macropores. However, the Upper and Lower Bakken shale are dominated by micropores, while the Middle Bakken tight reservoir is dominated by mesopores. The total pore volume and specific surface area of the Middle Bakken are significantly higher than those of the Upper and Lower Bakken, indicating that Middle Bakken is more conducive to the storage of oil and gas. Through analysis, the main controlling factors for the pore structure of the Upper and Lower Bakken shale are TOC and maturity, while those for Middle Bakken are clay and quartz contents.

Keywords: Bakken Formation; pore structure; controlling factors; low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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