Physicochemical properties of methane storage and transport in Devonian shale. Annual report, June 1990-May 1991, Data I and Data II

The report contains three parts. The first part deals with the determination of how natural gas is stored in Devonian shales. One hundred seventy-five helium and methane isotherms on 38 shale cores which were completed this year are presented. Using the isotherms for all samples, the following parameters were found: helium density and porosity, Langmuir-fit parameters, and relative amounts of methane present as gas-in-pore and in an adsorbed state, or in solution. Supporting mercury porosimetry results are also presented. From the data, it was determined that, for most samples, adsorption accounts for about 50% of the gas storage in the rock with gas-in-pore accounting for the bulk of the remainder. A detailed mathematical discussion of flow in microporous shale is presented. Existing degassing data of over 200 Devonian shale samples is summarized. The fraction adsorbed is related to mineralogy and organic composite of the rock. Thus, correlations with total organic carbon (TOC) and surface area will be presented. The second and third part of the report contain over 175 helium and methane isotherms on 38 shale cores completed this year under the GRI Comprehensive Study Well (CSW) program to determine how natural gas is stored in Devonian Shale Wells aremore » presented. Volume (Data I) contains summary instrusion reports. Volume (Data II) contains helium and methane isotherm data.« less