Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Shale adsorption characteristics of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in northern Guizhou based on surface free energy and isosteric heat data

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Given the potential of shale gas as an energy source, exploration and development efforts have been underway around the world. To better understand the adsorption mechanism of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation shale in the northern Guizhou region, China, core samples were obtained from two potential gas reservoirs in the region. Petrophysical and adsorption experiments were performed on these samples. The thermodynamic characteristics of shale adsorption are discussed based on the surface free energy and isostatic heat of adsorption. The effect of adsorption on gas flow in shale pore fractures is discussed. The results point to the promising potential of the exploration and development of the Niutitang Formation shale. The adsorption capacity of the shale decreases as the temperature increases. As the pressure increases, the adsorption capacity first increases and then decreases. The temperature, pressure, and shale-specific surface area all affect the surface free energy of the shale, which in turn affects the shale adsorption capacity of CH4. This change in the gas adsorption capacity is consistent with the trend exhibited by the surface free energy. Therefore, the adsorption of shale is controlled by its surface free energy. The isothermal adsorption of shale displays a positive correlation with the isosteric heat of adsorption. The average isosteric heat of FC1 shale is 28.68 kJ/mol; this shale only physically adsorbs methane. The average isosteric heat of TM1 shale is 42.90 kJ/mol. Physical adsorption may be accompanied by chemical adsorption. The isothermal adsorption curves at different temperatures can be predicted by the isosteric heat of adsorption. The gas adsorption layer affects the gas flow regimes by changing the effective pore size of the shale. The methodologies and results presented herein will be beneficial to more accurately understanding the storage mechanism of shale gas and estimating the scale of shale gas resources.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambrose RJ, Hartman RC, Diaz Campos M, Sondergeld CH (2010) New pore-scale considerations for shale gas in place calculations. SPE-131772, paper presented at the Unconventional Gas Conference, SPE, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 23–25 February

  • Bernard S, Horsfield B, Schulz HM, Wirth R, Schreiber A, Sherwood N (2012) Geochemical evolution of organic-rich shales with increasing maturity: a STXM and TEM study of the Posidonia Shale (Lower Toarcian, northern Germany). Mar Pet Geol 31(1):70–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Brutsaert W (2017) Global land surface evaporation trend during the past half century: corroboration by Clausius-Clapeyron scaling. Adv Water Resour 106:3–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Chareonsuppanimit P, Mohammad SA, Robinson RL Jr, Gasem KAM (2012) High-pressure adsorption of gases on shales: measurements and modeling. Int J Coal Geol 95(1):34–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Zhu Y, Wang H, Liu H, Wei W, Fang J (2011) Shale gas reservoir characterisation: a typical case in the southern Sichuan Basin of China. Energy 36(11):6609–6616

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Jiang Z, Liu K (2017) A combination of N2 and CO2 adsorption to characterize nanopore structure of organic-rich lower Silurian Shale in the Upper Yangtze Platform, South China: implications for shale gas sorption capacity. Acta Geol Sin (English Edition) 91(4):1380–1394

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson CR, Haghshenas B (2013) Modeling of supercritical fluid adsorption on organic-rich shales and coal. SPE-144355-MS, paper presented at the SPE Unconventional Resources Conference-USA, The Woodlands, Texas, USA, 10–12 April

  • Duan X, Hu Z, Gao S et al (2018) Shale high pressure isothermal adsorption curve and the production dynamic experiments of gas well. Pet Explor Dev 45(1):127–135

    Google Scholar 

  • EIA (2017) Annual energy outlook 2017 with projections to 2050. https://www.eia.gov/aeo

  • Goel C, Bhunia H, Bajpai PK (2015) Resorcinol–formaldehyde based on nanostructured carbons for CO2 adsorption: kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamic studies. RSC Adv 5(113):93563–93578

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo W, Xiong W, Gao S et al (2013) Impact of temperature on the isothermal adsorption/desorption characteristics of shale gas. Pet Explor Dev 40(4):514–519

    Google Scholar 

  • Hol S, Peach CJ, Spiers CJ (2012) Effect of 3D stress state on adsorption of CO2 by the coal. Int J Coal Geol 93(1):1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvie DM, Hill RJ, Ruble TE et al (2017) Unconventional shale-gas systems: the Mississippian Barnett Shale of north-central Texas as one model for thermogenic shale-gas assessment. AAPG Bull 91(4):475–499

    Google Scholar 

  • Javadpour F (2009) Nanopores and apparent permeability of gas flow in mudrocks (shales and siltstone). J Can Pet Technol 48:16–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia B, Tsau J, Barati R (2018a) Different flow behaviors of low-pressure and high-pressure carbon dioxide in shales. SPE J 23(4):1–17. https://doi.org/10.2118/191121-PA

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia B, Tsau J, Barati R (2018b) A workflow to estimate shale gas permeability variations during the production process. Fuel 220:879–889

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia B, Tsau J, Barati R (2019) A review of the current progress of CO2 injection EOR and carbon storage in shale oil reservoirs. Fuel 236:404–427

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin H, Lewan D, Sonnenberg SA (2017) Oil-generation kinetics for oil-prone Bakken shales and its implication. In: Presented at the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTEC). Austin, TX, USA, Jul. 24–26

  • Juergen S (2010) Common themes in the formation and preservation of intrinsic porosity in shale sand mudstones-illustrated with examples across the Phanerozoic. SPE J 132370:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee Y, Hong S, Ahn W (2016) Extrapolation of the Clausius-Clapeyron plot for estimating the CO2 adsorption capacities of zeolites at moderate temperature conditions. Korean J Chem Eng 34(1):37–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Leng J, Gong D, Li F et al (2016) Analyses on the shale gas exploration prospect of the Niutitang Formation in northeastern Guizhou area. Earth Sci Front 23(2):29–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W (2017) Experimental study on adsorption characteristics of shale gas in Guizhou Niutitang formation. Guizhou University, Guiyang

    Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Pu Y, Sun C et al (2014) Recognition of adsorption/desorption theory in coalbed methane reservoir and shale gas reservoir. Acta Pet Sin 35(6):1113–1129

    Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Shen Z, Li W et al (2016a) Exploration and development potential of Niutitang Formation shale gas in Fenggang area, North Guizhou. Nat Gas Ind 36(12):72–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Wang Z, Guo M Zhang J, Qi S, Zhou B, Zhang W (2016b) Pore structure characteristics of the Lower Paleozoic formation shale gas reservoir in northern Guizhou. J China Univ Min Technol 46(6):1172–1183

  • Li X, Cao F, Yue G, Li Y, Yu Q (2016c) The experimental study of adsorption characteristics of carboniferous shale in eastern Qaidam. Earth Sci Front 23(5):95–102

  • Li T, Tian H, Xiao X, Cheng P, Zhou Q, Wei Q (2017a) Geochemical characterization and methane adsorption capacity of overmature organic-rich Lower Cambrian shales in northeast Guizhou region, southwest China. Mar Pet Geol 86:858–873

    Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Shen Z, Liu Y, Xu S (2017b) Experimental study on the influence of pore structure on absorption characteristics of tectonic coal and primary structural coal in Northwest Guizhou. J Min Saf Eng 34(1):170–176

  • Li X, Li W, Hua H, Huang H, Shen Z (2017c) Analysis on adsorption characteristics of deep shale under high temperature and high pressure. Spec Oil Gas Reserv 24(3):129–134

  • Li J, Chen Z, Wu K, Wang K, Luo J, Feng D, Qu S, Li X (2019) A multi-site model to determine supercritical methane adsorption in energetically heterogeneous shales. Chem Eng J 349(1):438–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Gao B, Zhang Y et al (2017) Types and distribution of the shale sedimentary facies of the lower Cambrian in upper Yangtze area, south China. Pet Explor Dev 44(1):20–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Loucks RG, Reed RM, Ruppel SC, Jarvie DM (2009) Morphology, genesis, and distribution of nanometer-scale pores in siliceous mudstones of the Mississippian Barnett shale. J Sediment Res 79(12):848–861

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu X, Li F, Watson AT (1995a) Adsorption measurements in Devonian shales. Fuel 74(4):599–603

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu X, Li F, Watson AT (1995b) Adsorption studies of natural gas storage in Devonian shales. SPE Form Eval 10:109–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao R, Zhang J, Pei P, Xie Z, Zhou X (2019) Adsorption characteristics of clay- organic complexes and their role in shale gas resource evaluation. Energy Sci Eng 7:108–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Merkel A, Fink R, Littke R (2016) High pressure methane sorption characteristics of lacustrine shale from the Midland Valley Basin, Scotland. Fuel 182(5):361–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez-Pastor AJ, Bulnes F (2000) Differential heat of adsorption in the presence of an order-disorder phase transition. Physica A 283(1/2):198–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Rexr TFT, Benham MJ, Aplin AC, Thomas KM (2013) Methane adsorption on shale under simulated geological temperature and pressure conditions. Energy Fuel 27(6):3099–3109

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruthven DM (1984) Principle of adsorption and adsorption process. Wiley, New York, pp 1–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakurovs R, Day S, Weir S, Duffy G (2007) Application of a modified Dubinin-Radushkevich equation to adsorption of gases by coals under supercritical conditions. Energy Fuel 21(2):992–997

    Google Scholar 

  • Shabro V, Torres-Verdin C, Javadpour F (2011) Numerical simulation of shale-gas production: from pore-scale modeling of slip-flow, Knudsen diffusion, and Langmuir desorption to reservoir modeling of compressible fluid. SPE-144355, paper presented at the SPE North American Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition held in The Woodlands, Texas, USA,14–16 June

  • Singh H, Javadpour F (2016) Langmuir slip-Langmuir sorption permeability model of shale. Fuel 164(15):28–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun W, Zuo Y, Wu Z, Liu H, Xi S, Shui Y, Wang J, Liu R, Lin J (2019) Fractal analysis of pores and the pore structure of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang shale in northern Guizhou province: investigations using NMR, SEM and image analyses. Mar Pet Geol 99(1):416–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian H, Guo T, Hu D, Tang L, Wo Y, Song L, Yang Z (2006) Marine lower assemblage and exploration prospect of Central Guizhou Uplift and its adjacent areas. J Palaeogeogr 8(4):509–518

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian H, Li T, Zhang T, Xiao X (2016) Characterization of methane adsorption on overmature lower Silurian-upper Ordovician shales in Sichuan Basin, southwest China: experimental results and geological implications. Int J Coal Geol 156:36–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwaria D, Goel C, Bhunia H, Bajpaia PK (2017) Dynamic CO2 capture by carbon adsorbents: kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamic studies. Sep Purif Technol 181(30):107–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang R, Ding W, Gong D, Leng J (2016a) Gas preservation conditions of marine shale in northern Guizhou area: a case study of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the Cengong block, Guizhou Province. Oil Gas Geol 37(1):45–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Lu S, Wang Z, Liu Y, Wang W, Chen F, Xu X (2016b) Reservoir characteristics of lacustrine shale and marine shale: examples from the Songliao Basin, Bohai Bay Basin and Qiannan depression. Acta Geol Sin-Engl 90(3):1024–1038

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Leng J, Li P, Li F (2016c) Characteristics and its main enrichment controlling factors of shale gas of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in northeastern Guizhou Province. J Palaeogeogr 18(4):605–614

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z, Li Y, Guo P, Meng W (2016d) Analyzing the adaption of different adsorption models for describing the shale gas adsorption law. Chem Eng Technol 39(10):1921–1932

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood D, Hazra B (2017) Characterization of organic-rich shales for petroleum exploration & exploitation: a review-part 3: applied geomechanics, petrophysics and reservoir modeling. J Earth Sci 28(5):779–803

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu S, Tang D, Li S, Chen H, Wu H (2016) Coalbed methane adsorption behavior and its energy variation features under supercritical pressure and temperature conditions. J Pet Sci Eng 146:726–734

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang R, Chen W, Zhou R (2012) Characteristics of organic-rich shale and exploration area of shale gas in Guizhou province. Nat Gas Geosci 23(2):340–347

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang F, Ning Z, Zhang R, Zhao H, Zhao T, He B (2014a) Methane in shale adsorption isothermal process. J China Coal Soc 39(7):1327–1332

  • Yang F, Ning Z, Wang Q, Liu H, Kong D (2014b) Thermodynamic analysis of methane adsorption on gas shale. J Cent South Univ 45(8):2871–2877

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu H, Fan W, Sun M, Ye J (2004) Study on fitting models for methane isotherms adsorption of coals. J China Coal Soc 29(4):463–467

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Ellis GS, Ruppel SC, Milliken K, Yang R (2012) Effect of organic matter type and thermal maturity on methane adsorption in shale gas systems. Org Geochem 47(6):120–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Li J, Yin J (2015) Study on the controlling factors of shale gas adsorption. Acta Geol Sin 89(sup):300–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao W, Li J, Yang T, Wang S, Huang J (2016) Geological difference and its significance of marine shale gas in South China. Pet Explor Dev 43(4):499–510

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou L, Zhou Y, Li M, Chen P (2000) Experimental and modeling study of the adsorption of supercritical methane on a high surface activated carbon. Langmuir 16(14):5955–5959

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou L, Feng Q, Qin Y (2011) CO2 and CH4 on the thermodynamic analysis of competitive adsorption on the surface of coal matrix. J China Coal Soc 36(8):1307–1311

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou S, Wang H, Xue H, Guo W, Lu B (2016) Difference between excess and absolute adsorption capacity of shale and a new shale gas reserve calculation method. Nat Gas Ind 36(11):12–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Zou C, Dong D, Wang S, Li J, Li X, Wang Y, Li D, Cheng K (2010) Geological characteristics, formation mechanism and resource potential of shale gas in China. Pet Explor Dev 37(6):641–653

    Google Scholar 

  • Zou C, Dong D, Wang Y, Li X, Huang J, Wang S, Guan Q, Zhen C, Wang H, Liu H, Bai W, Liang F, Lin W, Zhao Q, Liu D, Yang Z, Liang P, Sun S, Qiu Z (2016a) Shale gas in China: characteristics, challenges and prospects (II). Pet Explor Dev 43(2):182–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Zou C, Yang Z, Pan S, Chen Y, Lin S, Huang J, Wu S, Dong D, Wang S, Liang F, Sun S, Huang Y, Weng D (2016b) Shale gas formation and occurrence in China: an overview of the current status and future potential. Acta Geol Sin-Engl 90(4):1249–1283

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the anonymous reviewers and editors for their valuable comments and suggestions for improving this manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China ((Grant No. 51874107), the Major Applied Basic Research Project of Guizhou Province (Grant No. JZ2014-2005), the Science and Technology Funding Projects of Guizhou Province (Grant No. 2018-5781), and the Department of Education Funding Project of Guizhou Province (Grant No. KY2013-112).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mining College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Xijian Li, Liuyu Chen, Peng Pei & Juan Bi

  2. Engineering Center for Safe Mining Technology Under Complex Geologic Condition, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Xijian Li, Liuyu Chen & Juan Bi

  3. Institute of Gas Disaster Prevention and Coalbed Methane Development, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Xijian Li & Liuyu Chen

Authors
  1. Xijian Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liuyu Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peng Pei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Juan Bi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liuyu Chen.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Amjad Kallel

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, X., Chen, L., Pei, P. et al. Shale adsorption characteristics of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in northern Guizhou based on surface free energy and isosteric heat data. Arab J Geosci 13, 1217 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06158-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06158-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation