Petrologic characterization of processes
controlling fracture evolution
in the Barnett Shale and their financial implications, Fort Worth Basin,
Texas
Petro K. Papazis
Shale petrography has historically been one of the less examined aspects of sedimentology. The primary focus of my research is to quantify the petrographic relationships in the Barnett Shale, with the intention of reaching a better understanding of the “big picture.” To date, most shale studies have focused on clay mineralogy and general transport. Compaction, diagenesis, and the extent of silt and coarser grain deposition within shales have been studied to a much lesser amount. In the case of the Barnett Shale, one could argue that these factors are all critical to understanding rock properties and production data. As the global economy shifts its focus towards gas exploration, the geoscience community can no longer afford to consider shales thick clay-rich intervals. Microstratigraphy has much larger implications in order to more fully comprehend the dynamics of fluid flow in sedimentary basins and their evolution over time.
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Pic. 1: Petro outstanding in his field.
Pic. 2: The Barnett Shale at the J. R. Walker Ranch in Lampasas County, Texas.
Pic. 3: Barnett Concretion from the Type Chappell Locality in San Saba County, Texas.
Pic. 4: Barnett Shale in outcrop in San Saba County, Texas.
Pic. 5: Fossil layer from Barnett Shale core, Wise County, Texas.
Pic. 6: Up close and personal with the Barnett Shale.
Pic. 7: Barnett fractures controlled by microstratigraphy, Wise County, Texas.
Pic. 8: Back-scatter electron image of silt-size quartz with a pyrite nucleus coated by phosphate
from a core sample.
Pic. 9: Back-scatter electron image of silt-size quartz grains in the Barnett.