Nanoscale mechanical property variations concerning mineral composition and contact of marine shale

• Published in: 地学前缘（英文版） 2022, Vol.13 (4), p.165-180
• Main Authors: Yong Li, Jianqi Chen, Derek Elsworth, Zhejun Pan, Xiaotian Ma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1674-9871

Mechanical properties of shales are key parameters influencing hydrocarbon production-impacting borehole stability,hydraulic fracture extension and microscale variations in in situ stress.We use Ordovician shale(Sichuan Basin,China)as a type-example to characterize variations in mineral particle properties at microscale including particle morphology,form of contact and spatial distribution via min-eral liberation analysis(MLA)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Deformation-based constitutive models are then built using finite element methods to define the impact of various architectures of frac-ture and mineral distributions at nanometer scale on the deformation characteristics at macroscale.Relative compositions of siliceous,calcareous and clay mineral particles are shown to be the key factors influencing brittleness.Shales with similar mineral composition show a spectrum of equivalent medium mechanical properties due to differing particle morphology and mineral heterogeneity.The predomi-nance of small particles and/or point-point contacts are conducive to brittle failure,in general,and espe-cially so when quartz-rich.Fracture morphology,length and extent of filling all influence shale deformability.High aspect-ratio fractures concentrate stress at fracture tips and are conducive to exten-sion,as when part-filled by carbonate minerals.As fracture spacing increases,stress transfer between adjacent fractures weakens,stress concentrations are amplified and fracture extension is favored.The higher the fractal dimension of the fracture and heterogeneity of the host the more pervasive the frac-tures.Moreover,when fractures extend,their potential for intersection and interconnection contributes to a reduction in strength and the promotion of brittle failure.Thus,these results provide important the-oretical insights into the role of heterogeneity on the deformability and strength of shale reservoirs with practical implications for their stimulation and in the recovery of hydrocarbons from them.