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Illitization of Smectite in Sandstones: The Permian Unayzah Reservoir, Saudi Arabia

  • Research Article - Earth Sciences
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Abstract

The transformation of smectite to illite through a mixed-layer illite/smectite is a major clay mineral reaction that occurs in a range of diagenetic environments and is commonly observed in siliciclastic sedimentary basins worldwide. This reaction is controlled by several chemical and physical factors. Two of the major controlling factors are temperature and potassium availability within the sediments. Illite coating in the Permian Unayzah reservoir has two main morphologies, platelet-like and fibrous illite. The former is interpreted as formed by transformation of infiltrated smectite during burial. The latter has likely been formed by precipitation from pore water.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P.O. Box 1400, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    Khalid Al-Ramadan

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  1. Khalid Al-Ramadan
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Correspondence to Khalid Al-Ramadan.

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Al-Ramadan, K. Illitization of Smectite in Sandstones: The Permian Unayzah Reservoir, Saudi Arabia. Arab J Sci Eng 39, 407–412 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-013-0913-6

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