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Solvent-Pore Interactions in the Easgle Ford Shale Formation
Published
Author(s)
Victoria H. DiStefano, Joanna McFarlane, Andrew G. Stack, Edmund Perfect, David F. Mildner, Markus Bleuel, Steve J. Chipera, Kenneth C. Littrell, Michael C. Cheshire, Katherine E. Manz, Lawrence M Anovitz
Abstract
The effect of solvent extraction on pore space was examined on a suite of samples from the Eagle Ford Shale Formation with varying lithologies and maturities. Several solvents were contacted with shales, extracting the compatible organic matter. The porosity in these extracted shales was compared to unmodified samples. The amount and type of organic matter extracted were determined using Gas Chromatography ─ Mass Spectrometry, and the porosity was determined by (Ultra) Small Angle Neutron Scattering. Mostly alkanes and aromatics were detected in the extracts, but other portions of bitumen may also have been present. Higher molecular weight alkanes were extracted with hydrochloric acid, suggesting that the dissolution of carbonates may have liberated heavier organic matter trapped in them. Additionally, a decrease in porosity with extraction was observed and attributed to a dominant mechanism of kerogen swelling due to kerogen-solvent interaction.
DiStefano, V.
, McFarlane, J.
, Stack, A.
, Perfect, E.
, Mildner, D.
, Bleuel, M.
, Chipera, S.
, Littrell, K.
, Cheshire, M.
, Manz, K.
and Anovitz, L.
(2019),
Solvent-Pore Interactions in the Easgle Ford Shale Formation, Fuel, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=926473
(Accessed October 19, 2025)