Brittleness estimation and mineralogical analysis for evaluation of
fracturability: Application to the Cambay Shale, Gujarat, India
Abstract
Brittleness index (BI) has been considered as a key geomechanical
parameter in evaluating fracturability of the shale formation for
optimal extraction of hydrocarbon. BI is commonly used to quantitatively
classify the brittle-ductile zones in thick shale reservoir and is
considered as completion quality index. There are different methods for
determining BI. In the present study, mineralogy based BI estimation
method has been followed to identify brittle zones of Cambay Shale of
Jambusar-Broach block, Cambay basin, India. Mineralogical composition is
having a very significant role in controlling brittleness of a rock.
Advanced geochemical logs like the Elemental Capture Spectroscopy (ECS)
/ Litho Scanner were utilized to get the continuous estimation of
mineralogical composition of the Cambay Shale formation. XRD and SEM-EDS
techniques are also used for mineralogical analysis of selected core
samples taken from different depths. Analysis from XRD and SEM-EDS
techniques reveals that the shale is composed of kaolinite, chlorite,
quartz, siderite, pyrite and other minerals. Good match has been
observed between the BI estimated using mineralogical composition from
geochemical log and XRD analysis of core samples. Along with BI, another
parameter namely fracability index (FI) has been also used for
hydro-fracture evaluation. FI has been estimated continuously, combining
normalized brittleness index and normalized Young’s modulus. In addition
to BI and FI, type of clay minerals present has some controlling role
during hydro-fracture. Mineralogical analysis reveals that for
hydro-fracture operation, Cambay Shale has the advantage of having
kaolinite and chlorite as dominant clay minerals which are comparatively
less susceptible to swelling and plastic behaviour than other clay
minerals like illite. An integrated analysis of BI, FI, mineralogy,
petrophysical and geochemical properties will be helpful for
identification of potential target zones within thick shale.
Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation Limited, India for providing the requisite dataset and core
samples to carry out the present study.