Characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality: Huagang Formation in the Xihu Sag,East China Sea Basin

Abstract

The characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality in the Huagang sandstones in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Basin were studied by using X-ray diffraction, casting thin-sections, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, fluid inclusion analysis, constant-rate mercury injection and nuclear magnetic resonance. Clay minerals consist of kaolinite, chlorite, illite and illite–smectite mixed layer (I/S); kaolinite forms from dissolved feldspars, chlorite occurs as clay coatings that are transformed from clay precursors owing to the flocculation of suspended detrital clays or the crystallisation of pore fluids, and illite forms from the illitisation of detrital smectite, authigenic kaolinite and K-feldspars. Clay distribution is controlled by sedimentary environments, burial history and lithologies. Typical reservoirs in the western sub-sag are thin and developed in braided river facies at relatively shallow burial depths with clays dominated by kaolinite. However, typical reservoirs in the central inversion tectonic zone are thicker and developed in a braided delta front facies at deeper burial depths with clays mainly consisting of chlorite, illite and I/S. High-quality reservoirs are characterised by coarse granularity, high quartz content and low clay content with widespread development of chlorite coatings that inhibit quartz cements at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, the high-quality reservoirs develop more pores providing growth space for quartz cements and result in the coexistence of chlorite coatings and quartz cements. The high-quality reservoirs are controlled by their lithological characteristics rather than chlorite coatings. Illite and I/S clays create severe damage to reservoirs by reducing the size and connectivity of pore-throats.     

The structure and dynamics of 2-dimensional fluids in swelling clays

The interlayer pores of swelling 2:1 clays provide an ideal 2-dimensional environment in which to study confined fluids. In this paper we discuss our understanding of the structure and dynamics of interlayer fluid species in expanded clays, based primarily on the outcome of recent molecular modelling and neutron scattering studies. Counterion solvation is compared with that measured in bulk solutions, and at a local level the cation-oxygen coordination is found to be remarkably similar in these two environments. However, for the monovalent ions the contribution to the first coordination shell from the clay surfaces increases with counterion radius. This gives rise to inner-sphere (surface) complexes in the case of potassium and caesium. In this context, the location of the negative clay surface charge (i.e. arising from octahedral or tetrahedral substitution) is also found to be of major importance. Divalent cations, such as calcium, eagerly solvate to form outer-sphere complexes. These complexes are able to pin adjacent clay layers together, and thereby prevent colloidal swelling. Confined water molecules form hydrogen bonds to each other and to the clays' surfaces. In this way their local environment relaxes to close to the bulk water structure within two molecular layers of the clay surface. Finally, we discuss the way in which the simple organic molecules methane, methanol and ethylene glycol behave in the interlayer region of hydrated clays. Quasi-elastic neutron scattering of isotopically labelled interlayer CH₃OD and (CH₂OD)₂ in deuterated clay allows us to measure the diffusion of the CH₃- and CH₂-groups in both clay and liquid environments. We find that in both the one-layer methanol solvates and the two-layer glycol solvates the diffusion of the most mobile organic molecules is close to that in the bulk solution.     

Rare earth elements in Quaternary clays of the Numedal area, southern Norway

Rare earth elements (REE) in the clay fraction (< 2μ) of the Quaternary deposits in the Numedal area, southern Norway, have been determined by a spark source mass spectrometric method. The REE content was studied in relation to weathering and sedimentological factors.

The total REE content varies from 100 to 1300 ppm. An average of the similar fraction of 16 non-marine clays, mostly tillitic, gave 527 ppm REE. An average of 38 glacial and postglacial marine clays from the lower part of the Numedal valley gave 335 ppm REE (max. 781 ppm). After removal of adsorbed ions the average total REE content of morainian and marine clays decreased to 186 ppm.

The content and distribution of the REE in the Numedal clays are strongly influenced by environmental factors. Under neutral and alkaline conditions the REE are accumulated by adsorption on clay minerals, and by increasing the hydrogen ion concentration the adsorbed ions are readily removed.     

Influence of tectonics and palaeoenvironment on late cretaceous clay sedimentation in the upper benue trough,Nigeria

The Late Cretaceous sedimentary sequence in the Upper Benue Trough consists of seven formations. Outcrop samples from the type localities of these units were analysed by X-ray diffraction for their day mineral content. The composition and distribution of the clay minerals are influenced by tectonics, relief and water depth. Three main depositional phases are recognizable on the basis of clay mineral assemblages, two of which are associated with tectonic movements. The first phase, characterized by the presence of chlorite, illite, kaolinite and mixed-layer clays is common to Albian-Cenomanian sediments. This phase is succeeded by mixed-layer clays and smectite-rich, Turonian-Early Santonian sediments. The re-occurrence of chlorite and illite in association with kaolinite and mixed-layer clays in the Post-Santonian sediments constitutes the third depositional phase. These clay mineral assemblages are indicative of two periods of tectonism (Albian and Late Santonian) and an intervening Turonian-Early Santonian period of quiescence in the Upper Benue Trough.     

苏皖沉积型凹凸棒石粘土矿床沉积环境探讨

本文对苏皖沉积型凹凸棒石粘土矿床形成时的沉积环境特征、水介质的ｐＨ值、氧化还原条件、温度及盐度进行了讨论。研究表明凹凸棒石粘土矿床形成于碱性、还原、低盐度的浅水湖相环境。与火山作用有关的热水溶液参与了成矿作用。     

Mineralogy and physico-chemical properties of Wadi Badaa clays (Cairo-Suez district,Egypt): a prospective resource for the ceramics industry

The Wadi Badaa (WB) Upper Miocene clays, Cairo-Suez district, Egypt, represent materials for the ceramic production. The clay raw materials are composed mainly of smectite and kaolinite with minor quartz, calcite, and rare feldspar. The plasticity indices vary between 24 and 30%, suggesting that these clays are plastic raw materials. IR bands of the investigated clays were observed at 3695, 3619, 1032, 916, 794, 690, 534, 466, and 423 cm^?1 for kaolinite; at 3436, 1635, 916, and 466 cm^?1 for smectite; and at 1179, 1104, 794, 690, and 466 cm^?1 for quartz. The <2 μm particle sizes of samples are relatively abundant in clays (～33%), which is adequate for uses of the ceramic products because of containing fine particle sizes. The studied WB clays contain 7.95 and 12.35% moisture water and interlayer water, respectively, with a maximum drying shrinkage of 7.87% at room temperature; therefore, the WB clays could be used in the ceramic manufacture.     

Stabilization of swelling clays by Mg(OH)2. Changes in clay properties after addition of Mg-hydroxide

Stabilization of the swelling clay structure is attempted by intercalation of Mg(OH)₂ and the development of a brucite interlayer between the clay layers. The properties of the product obtained by applying the technique, formulated as described in a previous work, are considered here. The materials used were Wyoming bentonite (USA), Fuller's Earth (UK), kaolinite, illite, lignite, and silica gels. The Mg(OH)₂-clay products were examined by the methylene blue dye test, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and derivative thermogravimetry analysis (DTGA). From the results obtained it is concluded that: the Mg-hydroxide is adsorbed by swelling clays both on their external and internal surface, whereas it is adsorbed on the external surface by non-swelling clays. The internally adsorbed phase of Mg-hydroxide forms an ill-defined interlayer of brucite, retarding swelling, whereas the external phase covers the particles modifying drastically their surface properties, like the adsorption of the MB dye. The material produced after precipitation of Mg-hydroxide on swelling clays (smectites) did not re-expand on wetting or after glycolation. The adsorption of MB dye was also reduced by some 80–90%, due to coating effect, preventing the measurements of the external surface area of the clay by polar molecules. The principal forces involved in the process are believed to be physical adsorption on the external surface, along with chemisorption and some chemical bonding, mostly in the internal surface. Cementation due to crystallization and, in the long term, some pozzolanic reactions take also place. Internal adsorption of the Mg-hydroxide is postulated to be in the form of positively charged mono- and/or small polymers and it is, chiefly, diffusion controlled. Since Mg-hydroxide is internally adsorbed by swelling clays, whereas Ca-hydroxide(lime) is not, and the (Mg, Ca)-clay aggregates are more stable than the Ca-clay or the Mg-one, the combination of the two hydroxides could give better results in soil stabilization than each hydroxide alone.     

The Speeton Clay of North Yorkshire, England: An investigation of its geotechnical properties

The Lower Cretaceous in North Yorkshire is represented by a marine succession termed the Speeton Clay. The principal minerals in these clays consist of quartz, mica and clay minerals, although pyrite, glauconite and siderite are notable in some beds. The proportions of clay minerals change within the Speeton Clay and generally illite becomes more important in the younger horizons.

The Speeton Clay is a silty clay which generally has a high plasticity, the latter being influenced by the proportion of clay fraction present. All the clays tested were inactive although they would appear to have a potential for expansion. Neither the plasticity nor the moisture content were affected by depth.

In terms of its undrained shear strength, most of the Speeton Clay could be regarded as a stiff clay. It was also insensitive with generally a low slake-durability index. Its coefficients of volume compressibility were characteristic of overconsolidated and heavily overconsolidated days.     

上海浅部黏土化学特性与沉积环境相关性

土体孔隙溶液化学特性反映其沉积环境,沉积环境影响土体的工程性质,其相关性是土力学的重要研究内容。本文首先详细介绍软土孔隙溶液化学特性的试验方法,并对上海浅层黏土展开试验研究。通过试验给出了土层各项化学特性指标的分布规律。结合上海地区海平面变化,探讨上海浅部土层的化学特性所反映的沉积环境变迁历史,尤其是第四纪海侵海退对土体化学特性的影响。分析土体的化学特性与其物理力学特性的相关性,获得了在不同沉积环境（海侵和海退）中软土的含盐量对灵敏度和物理指标的两种相反的影响规律。     

Illite-smectite Mixed-layer Minerals in the Alteration Volcanic Ashes under Submarine Environment

The clay mineralogy of the clay intervals interbedded with siliceous mudstones across the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) in Pengda, Guiyang, Guizhou province, was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The clay mineral assemblages of the sediments are mainly I/S clays and minor smectite, kaolinite, and illite as reveled by XRD analyses. The peak-shape parameters BB1 and BB2 of I/S clays of the representative clay bed PL-01 are 4.7° and 4.4°, and the peak position of the low angle reflection is at 6.8° 2θ (13.6 ), suggesting that the I/S clays has a IS type of ordering. However, the presence of multi-order reflections and their intensities are different from those of completely ordered 1∶1 mixed-layer I/S clay rectorite, indicating that I/S clays of the Pengda section have partially ordered IS structures. HRTEM observations show that most of the I/S clays exhibit an IS stacking ordering. However, in some areas within a IS particle, smectite layer is observed in doublets, triplets, and quartets, which are interstratified by various amounts of illite layers, suggesting the presence of other irregular stacking in addition to the major 1∶1 IS ordered stacking. Transformation of smectite layer into illite layers is also observed in the I/S clays, suggesting that the Pengda I/S clays are derived from smectite illitization, in good agreement with the clay mineral assemblage. The I/S clays of the Pengda section contain up to 45% to 95% smectite layer, the notably higher contents of smectite layer relative to those of other PTB stratigraphic sets in south China can be attributed to difference in alteration and smectite illitization processes due to different sedimentary environments.     

鄂尔多斯盆地杭锦旗地区上古生界砂岩中储层粘土矿物特征分析

鄂尔多斯盆地杭锦旗地区上古生界砂岩储层中普遍发育粘土矿物,根据岩心薄片观察,自然γ能谱测井交会图识别出的粘土矿物类型有高岭石、伊利石、蒙脱石、绿泥石。薄片分析按粘土矿物形成方式划出沉积粘土和成岩粘土(蚀变、转变及化学成因粘土),以及按其产出状态尚划出构造(骨架)粘土和结构(填隙)粘土,并定量分析出构造粘土和结构粘土含量在多数层段分别为20%以上与10%~18%。依据自然γ能谱测井分析采用多元线性逐步回归分析法,查明各粘土矿物含量同T h,U,K质量分数之间的相关系数都大于0.85,建立了粘土矿物定量计算模型X=a-b×T h c×U d×T h/K还对储层中粘土矿物进行预测及粘土矿物的纵向分布特征分析。     

Water retention characteristics of swelling clays in different compaction states

The soil–water retention (SWR) characteristics of the clays play an important role in controlling their engineering behaviour, particularly, in the unsaturated state. Although, researchers have attempted to understand the water retention characteristics of the clays in their reconstituted or remoulded state, such studies are rare for the clays in their intact state. In this context, it becomes important to understand the influence of initial state of compaction, which would create different pore and fabric structure (viz., microstructure), on the water retention characteristics of the clays. With this in view, SWR behaviour was experimentally determined for the swelling clays (dried from different compaction states, viz., intact, reconstituted and remoulded) by employing Dewpoint PotentiaMeter (WP4C®). The changes in the pore size distribution of the clays at different stages of drying cycle were also studied by employing the Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry. The study reveals that the SWR curves for the intact and reconstituted specimens of the clays converge beyond a certain stage of drying. Also, a critical analysis of changes in the pore structure of the swelling clay specimens, during drying, indicates that the progressively deforming pore structure plays an important role in controlling its water retention characteristics to a great extent.     

沉积物的矿物和地球化学特征与盆地构造、古气候背景

构造和气候的变化是盆地充填和演化的两个主要控制因素,对沉积物而言,其主要是对沉积物类型和分布的控制。从沉积物的矿物学和地球化学的角度,提取了与盆地构造和气候演变有关的主要参数,包括碳酸盐岩矿物中的δ¹³C、δ¹⁸O、石英/长石、高岭石/粘土、伊利石/粘土的比值,反演地质历史中盆地在构造和气候上的变化。对松辽盆地白垩系的研究表明,泉三段、泉四段中石英/长石低值代表了在盆地坳陷期存在着具有一定强度的构造运动。伊利石/粘土和高岭石/粘土的分析反映出松辽盆地白垩世的气候经历了由泉三段沉积期气候干旱到青山口组沉积期气候湿润、姚家组沉积期气候快速转向干旱、嫩一段沉积期湿润的气候和嫩三、四段沉积期湿热气候的演变。碳酸盐岩中碳、氧同位素分析显示松辽盆地在83.3 Ma左右发生了海侵事件,在82.8 Ma左右发生了海退事件。     

Isotopic exchange of Zn with stable Zn adsorbed on reference clay minerals

For reference clays of low organic content, Zn adsorbed on the clay minerals is in kinetic equilibrium with ⁶⁵Zn in solution. Thus the specific activity approach applied to the transport of ⁶⁵Zn(II) at the water-reference clay interface is intrinsically valid.     

Process of slip-surface development and formation of slip-surface clay in landslides in Tertiary volcanic rocks, Japan

Once landslide movement has been initiated, the sliding mass tends to move toward a more stable position. However, landslides that have occurred in some Tertiary volcanic rocks in Japan show recurrent movement. A possible reason for this behavior is that the mineral composition and properties of slip-surface materials results in better ‘lubrication’ along the slip surface as movement continues. In order to determine the causes, five landslides in Japanese Tertiary volcanics with different movement histories were studied. Based on geological investigation, the results presented in this paper were obtained by studying the development process and formation of slip surfaces and clays in landslides in these volcanics.

For rocks of similar types and mineralogies the clay content of slip-surface materials can be directly related to the displacement and history of slide movement. This study indicates that the type of slip surface ranges from: (1) striation type (showing only striations on bedrock without clay), to (2) brecciated type (clayey breccia), (3) mylonite type (clay with breccia), and to (4) clay type (clay without breccia). If the slip surface occurs in tuff or tuffaceous materials and is subjected to increasing slide movement, the smectite content in the slip-surface clay increases, while the silicate mineral content decreases. Furthermore, the smectite content is observed to increase within the same landslide from the head to the toe portion of the landslide (direction of groundwater flow). The groundwater along the slip surface (above the impervious zone) contains an increased concentration of Ca⁺⁺ ions. As the concentration of HCO₃⁻ ions exceeds 40 mg/l, an environment is created that promotes the formation of smectite. This process indicates that there is an active ion exchange within the groundwater near the slip surface that forms smectite. Thus, the formation of smectite in the slip surface requires the presence of tuff and a sufficient concentration of HCO₃⁻ ions in the groundwater.

The study results presented here indicate that frictional resistance decreases as clay content increases. The reason for repeated movement of Japanese landslides in Tertiary tuffs or tuffaceous rocks at or in the immediate vicinity of the slip surface is attributed to: (1) an increase in clay materials along the slip surface as the slide movement is repeated and (2) the presence of groundwater that promotes the formation of smectite. As is commonly known, smectite is one of the clay minerals that has lowest frictional resistance.     

Stabilization of swelling clays by Mg(OH)2. Factors affecting hydroxy-Mg-interlayering in swelling clays

The damage caused to structures and other human endeavours, on or in the ground, by swelling clay soils is considered as a natural hazard. In order to mitigate this hazard an attempt was made to stabilize the swelling clay mineral structure by the addition of Mg(OH)₂. This will turn the swelling minerals, like montmorillonite, into non-swelling ones, e.g., chloride. Accordingly, the various factors affecting the precipitation-adsorption of the Mg-hydroxide by clays, was investigated, and the conditions giving the best results were established. The factors examined were: the base used as precipitant (NH₄OH and NaOH); the preparation of the precipitate, inside or outside the clay suspension; the sequence and the duration of the reagents addition; the OH/Mg ratio; the time of clay-chemical contact; and the drying time and temperature. The method, was applied to different clay minerals (swelling and non-swelling). The material produced after the Mg-hydroxide precipitation was examined by the methylene blue dye adsorption test, XRD, DTA and DTGA methods; the results were treated statistically by factorial analysis. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the factors affecting the Mg-hydroxide adsorption by clays are: the base used as a precipitant, the preparation of the hydroxide directly inside or outside the clay suspension, the drying temperature, and the rate of titration of the reagents. Therefore, the best conditions for the laboratory preparation of hydroxy-Mg-interlayers are a dilute (1–2%) and well-dispersed clay suspension, pH between 10–12; some 12 meq Mg²⁺, as Mg-salt (e.g., MgCl₂) per gram of clay, added before the base and followed by the dropwise titration of 1–2 N NaOH solution into the clay suspension, to give a molar ratio OH/Mg of about 1.5; vigorous agitation of the suspension during titration of the reagents; centrifugation and decantation of the supernatant liquid, and drying the product at about 250°C. Satisfactory results are also obtained with the fast titration of the base and drying at 105°C to complete dryness.     

Microstructural study of a natural slip zone: quantification and deformation history

Microstructure of a natural slip zone was comprehensively examined using a combination of images captured systematically by optical microscopy (OPM) and backscattered electron microscopy (BEM) techniques. Microstructural features identified on these images were processed and evaluated using an advanced image analysis system, which proved that quantitative analyses could considerably enhance the understanding of shear behavior of slip zones. It was found that variations of porosity, abundance of platy clay particles and alignments of particles are significant indicators revealing nature of deformation processes. These indicators show that global mechanical behavior of the investigated slip zone can be conceptualized as that of normally consolidated clayey soils under drained conditions.

The geometric patterns of the microstructure of the slip zone are similar to the S–C fabrics seen in tectonic shear zones. It is suggested that combined progressive bulk simple shear and pure shear modes enable to realistically reconstruct the kinematic history of the slip zone, through which particle movements and microstructural evolution were accomplished via various types of particulate flows. The results of this study show that clay mineralogy plays a more important role in the development of the slip zone than abundance of clay-size particles, while both clay mineralogy and relative proportions of each particle size fraction control the response of particles to shear deformation. Among the fractions present in the slip zone, fine silts are the strongest indicator of global shear stress characterized by their highest degree of alignment, whereas clay particles are the weakest. Highest degree of shape preferred orientation is also found within fine silt domains.     

Overconsolidation effects of ground freezing

Temporary ground freezing is a valuable technique for stabilizing soft soils during construction. It imparts large increases in strength and bearing capacity to most soils. However, freezing can cause significant changes in soil structure and density which can lead to adverse settlement during thaw.

Settlement of clay soils after freezing and thawing is the result of the suction forces that draw pore water to the freezing front. These suction forces cause an increase in the effective stress on the clay beneath the freezing front, and thus cause an overconsolidation of the clay. As these suction forces often exceed 1 atm, their direct measurement is not easy.

A technique for indirectly determining the maximum suction occurring during freezing is presented which utilizes the apparent memory that clay soils have for maximum past (preconsolidation) pressures. Suctions as large as 532 kN m⁻² were observed after freezing and thawing a clay soil which was initially consolidated to 128 kN m⁻².

The volume changes resulting from the freezing and thawing of clays were related to the plastic limit and were observed in the laboratory to be as high as 25%. If provisions are not made to account for these volume changes in a ground freezing project, considerable damage to structures can occur from settlement and the resulting stresses.     

山西五台群变质砂岩的物源和构造环境

华北克拉通中北部五台杂岩中出露一套变质砂岩,归属于上太古界五台群,其物质来源和构造环境分析对理解本区新太古代末期的地壳演化具有重要意义.该变质砂岩主要由石英、长石和粘土质胶结物组成,岩相学特征显示为杂砂岩,利用主量、微量元素判别的结果与岩相学观察一致.岩石地球化学分析结果显示,样品的SiO2含量变化较大(64.51％～...