The New Albany Shale is an Upper Devonian organic-rich gas shale located in the Illinois Basin. A factor influencing gas production from the shale is the natural fracture system. I test the hypothesis that a combination of outcrop and core observations, rock property tests, and geomechanical modeling can yield an accurate representation of essential natural fracture attributes that cannot be obtained from any of the methods alone. Field study shows that New Albany Shale outcrops contain barren (free of cement) joints, commonly oriented in orthogonal sets. The dominant set strikes NE-SW, with a secondary set oriented NNW-SSE. I conclude that the joints were likely created by near-surface processes, and thus are unreliable for use as analogs for fractures in the reservoir. However, the height, spacing, and abundance of the joints may still be useful as guides to the fracture stratigraphy of the New Albany Shale at depth. The Clegg Creek and Blocher members contain the highest fracture abundance. Fractures observed in four New Albany Shale cores are narrow, steeply-dipping, commonly completely sealed with calcite and are oriented ENE-WSW. The Clegg Creek and Blocher members contain the highest fracture abundance, which is consistent with outcrop observations. Fractures commonly split apart along the wall rock-cement interface, indicating they may be weak planes in the rock mass, making them susceptible to reactivation during hydraulic fracturing. Geomechanical testing of six core samples was performed to provide values of Young’s modulus, subcritical index, and fracture toughness as input parameters for a fracture growth simulator. Of these inputs, subcritical index is shown to be the most influential on the spatial organization of fractures. The models predict the Camp Run and Blocher members to have the most clustered fractures, the Selmier to have more evenly-spaced fractures, and the Morgan Trail and Clegg Creek to have a mixture of even spacing and clustering. The multi-faceted approach of field study, core work, and geomechanical modeling I used to address the problem of fracture characterization in the New Albany Shale was effective. Field study in the New Albany presents an opportunity to gather a large amount of data on the characteristics and spatial organization of fractures quickly and at relatively low cost, but with questionable reliability. Core study allows accurate observation of fracture attributes, but has limited coverage. Geomechanical modeling is a good tool for analysis of fracture patterns over a larger area than core, but results are difficult to corroborate and require input from outcrop and core studies. / text

The Upper Devonian-Lower Mississippian Bakken Formation has recently become a prolific producer of light gravity oil in southeastern Saskatchewan since the advent of horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracture technologies, which has resulted in an increase in geological studies within the area. However, the Bakken Formation of west-central Saskatchewan has been producing heavy oil since the 1950s, and has comparatively received much less attention than its southeastern counterpart. The Bakken Formation is the youngest member of the Three Forks Group and unconformably overlies the Big Valley Formation. In west-central Saskatchewan, the Bakken Formation can be conformably overlain by the Mississippian carbonates of the Madison Group or unconformably overlain by the Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group. A tripartite subdivision is applied to the Bakken Formation, with a mixed clastic/carbonate Middle Member deposited between Lower and Upper Black Shale Members. Based on detailed core description, eight facies have been defined for the Bakken Formation of west-central Saskatchewan: Facies 1 (Lower and Upper Black Shale members), Facies 2 (bioturbated siltstone/sandstone), Facies 3 (wave-rippled sandstone), Facies 4 (bioclastic grainstone), Facies 5 (interbedded mudstone, siltstone, and very fine-grained sandstone), Facies 6 (very fine- to fine-grained sandstone), Facies 7 (bioturbated siltstone/sandstone), and Facies 8 (massive and brecciated siltstone). Deposition of the Bakken Formation in west-central Saskatchewan occurred under either open-marine or marginal-marine conditions. Facies association 1 (open-marine interval), which is made up of F1 through F4, is characterized by the distal Cruziana Ichnofacies. It was deposited within a wave-dominated shallow-marine depositional environment. Facies association 2 (marginal-marine interval), which is comprised of F5 through F8, shows scarce biogenic structures, most likely as a result of brackish-water conditions. Geological mapping (structure surface and isopach) of the facies and facies associations has aided in illustrating their lateral distribution. However, mapping of the overlying Mississippian carbonates and sub-Mesozoic unconformity shows that post-Mississippian erosion was a controlling factor in the distribution and preservation of Bakken Formation deposits, which creates uncertainty when interpreting geological maps and stratigraphic cross-sections. Although post-Mississippian erosion causes problems when reconstructing the depositional history and stratigraphic architecture of the Bakken Formation, it illustrates the importance of not performing stratigraphic studies within a vacuum, only focusing on the formation of interest. Rather, underlying and overlying units must be studied to see whether or not the unit of interest’s deposition and distribution has been affected by pre- and post-depositional events.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O estudo geoquímico detalhado em dois poços (A e B) na porção oeste da Bacia do Amazonas visou o entendimento da quantidade, fonte e evolução térmica da matéria orgânica presente nas Formações Ererê, Barreirinha e Curiri. Foram efetuadas análises de Carbono Orgânico Total (COT), pirólise Rock-Eval e biomarcadores. Os teores de carbono orgânico total da Formação Barreirinha (Membro Abacaxis) que variam de 1,43% a 8,39%, indicaram que este intervalo possui quantidade de matéria orgânica necessária para ser considerado potencialmente gerador de óleo e gás. As outras unidades litoestratigráficas apresentaram teores de COT pouco significativos. Com base nos dados de pirólise, identificou-se que o intervalo com o melhor potencial gerador corresponde ao Membro Abacaxis. Esta seção no poço A possui índice de hidrogênio (IH) ligeiramente superior a 200 mg HC/gCOT e um potencial gerador (S2)variando de 4 a 17,76 mg de HC/g de rocha, indicando um bom à excelente potencial adequado à geração de gás e condensado. Já no poço B, em decorrência do aumento da evolução térmica, os valores de S2 e IH são mais baixos(variando de 5 a 10 mgHC/g de rocha e com valores entre 50 e 150 mg HC/gCOT, respectivamente), apenas indicando um bom potencial à geração de gás. Segundo diagrama tipo Van Krevlen, a matéria orgânica deste intervalo é heterogênea e se comporta como querogênio tipo II e III no poço A e do tipo III e IV no poço B. As características dos biomarcadores encontrados no Membro Abacaxis indicam uma origem algal e ambiente marinho. O Membro Urariá e a Formação Curiri apresentam indicadores sugestivos de aporte de matéria orgânica de origem terrestre, sendo que o Membro Urariá ainda mostra algumas assinaturas semelhantes com o Membro Abacaxis. Devido a baixa concentração dos biomarcadores cíclicos nas amostras do Poço B, não foi possível realizar uma caracterização da fonte da matéria orgânica da Formação Ererê. A avaliação dos parâmetros utilizados para a interpretação da evolução térmica, como Tmax, taxa de transformação (TT), índice de produção (IP), reflectância da vitrinita calculada (Roc) e razões entre alcanos lineares e ramificados (P/nC17 e F/nC18), indicaram que no intervalo gerador do Poço A houve geração de hidrocarbonetos, mas ainda não correu a migração. No caso do Poço B, os dados mostram que neste intervalo já houve geração e migração de hidrocarbonetos. / The detailed geochemical study in two wells (A and B) at the west portion of the Amazonas Basin aimed the understading of the source, origin and thermal evolution of the organic matter presented in the Barreirinha Formation, encompassing the samples of the Ererê and Curiri Formations too. Analyzes of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), pyrolyse "Rock-Eval" and biomarkers were carried out. The organic carbon content of Barreirinha Formation (Abacaxis Member) range from 1,43% to 8,39% and indicate that this interval has enough organic matter and a good potential for oil and gas generation. The other lithoestratigraphic units showed not significant levels of TOC. Based on the pyrolyse data, it was identified that the interval with the better potential for generation is the Abacaxis Member. This section of the well A has the hydrogen index (HI) slightly higher to 200 mg HC/gTOC and a generating potential (S2) ranging from 4 to 17,76 mg of HC/g of rock, indicating a good to excellent potential for generation of gas and condensed. On the other hand, the well B, as a result of the higher thermal evolution, the values of S2 and HI are lower (ranging from 5 to 10 mg of HC/g of rock in S2 and values between 50 and 150 mg HC/gTOC in HI), just indicating a slightly potential to the generation of gas. In according to the Van Krevlen Diagram, the organic matter of this interval is heterogeneous and behave like a kerogen type II and III at the well A and type III and IV at the well B. The biomarkers data at Abacaxis Member indicate algal origin and marine environment. The Urariá Member and the Curiri Formation show suggestive indicators of terrestrial organic matter contribution, but the Urariá Member show some evidences similar to the Abacaxis Member too. Due to the low concentration of the cyclic biomarkers in the samples of the weel B, the characterization of the origin of the organic matter of Erere Formation was not possible. The assessment of the parameters utilized for the interpretation of the themal evolution, such as Tmax, transformation ratio (TR), production index (IP), calculated vitrinite reflectance (Roc) and the ratios pristane/nC17 and phytane/nC18, indicate that the source rock of Well A had generation of hydrocarbon, but still does not happened the migration. In case of Well B, the data shows that in this interval already had generation and migration of hydrocarbon.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O estudo geoquímico detalhado em dois poços (A e B) na porção oeste da Bacia do Amazonas visou o entendimento da quantidade, fonte e evolução térmica da matéria orgânica presente nas Formações Ererê, Barreirinha e Curiri. Foram efetuadas análises de Carbono Orgânico Total (COT), pirólise Rock-Eval e biomarcadores. Os teores de carbono orgânico total da Formação Barreirinha (Membro Abacaxis) que variam de 1,43% a 8,39%, indicaram que este intervalo possui quantidade de matéria orgânica necessária para ser considerado potencialmente gerador de óleo e gás. As outras unidades litoestratigráficas apresentaram teores de COT pouco significativos. Com base nos dados de pirólise, identificou-se que o intervalo com o melhor potencial gerador corresponde ao Membro Abacaxis. Esta seção no poço A possui índice de hidrogênio (IH) ligeiramente superior a 200 mg HC/gCOT e um potencial gerador (S2)variando de 4 a 17,76 mg de HC/g de rocha, indicando um bom à excelente potencial adequado à geração de gás e condensado. Já no poço B, em decorrência do aumento da evolução térmica, os valores de S2 e IH são mais baixos(variando de 5 a 10 mgHC/g de rocha e com valores entre 50 e 150 mg HC/gCOT, respectivamente), apenas indicando um bom potencial à geração de gás. Segundo diagrama tipo Van Krevlen, a matéria orgânica deste intervalo é heterogênea e se comporta como querogênio tipo II e III no poço A e do tipo III e IV no poço B. As características dos biomarcadores encontrados no Membro Abacaxis indicam uma origem algal e ambiente marinho. O Membro Urariá e a Formação Curiri apresentam indicadores sugestivos de aporte de matéria orgânica de origem terrestre, sendo que o Membro Urariá ainda mostra algumas assinaturas semelhantes com o Membro Abacaxis. Devido a baixa concentração dos biomarcadores cíclicos nas amostras do Poço B, não foi possível realizar uma caracterização da fonte da matéria orgânica da Formação Ererê. A avaliação dos parâmetros utilizados para a interpretação da evolução térmica, como Tmax, taxa de transformação (TT), índice de produção (IP), reflectância da vitrinita calculada (Roc) e razões entre alcanos lineares e ramificados (P/nC17 e F/nC18), indicaram que no intervalo gerador do Poço A houve geração de hidrocarbonetos, mas ainda não correu a migração. No caso do Poço B, os dados mostram que neste intervalo já houve geração e migração de hidrocarbonetos. / The detailed geochemical study in two wells (A and B) at the west portion of the Amazonas Basin aimed the understading of the source, origin and thermal evolution of the organic matter presented in the Barreirinha Formation, encompassing the samples of the Ererê and Curiri Formations too. Analyzes of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), pyrolyse "Rock-Eval" and biomarkers were carried out. The organic carbon content of Barreirinha Formation (Abacaxis Member) range from 1,43% to 8,39% and indicate that this interval has enough organic matter and a good potential for oil and gas generation. The other lithoestratigraphic units showed not significant levels of TOC. Based on the pyrolyse data, it was identified that the interval with the better potential for generation is the Abacaxis Member. This section of the well A has the hydrogen index (HI) slightly higher to 200 mg HC/gTOC and a generating potential (S2) ranging from 4 to 17,76 mg of HC/g of rock, indicating a good to excellent potential for generation of gas and condensed. On the other hand, the well B, as a result of the higher thermal evolution, the values of S2 and HI are lower (ranging from 5 to 10 mg of HC/g of rock in S2 and values between 50 and 150 mg HC/gTOC in HI), just indicating a slightly potential to the generation of gas. In according to the Van Krevlen Diagram, the organic matter of this interval is heterogeneous and behave like a kerogen type II and III at the well A and type III and IV at the well B. The biomarkers data at Abacaxis Member indicate algal origin and marine environment. The Urariá Member and the Curiri Formation show suggestive indicators of terrestrial organic matter contribution, but the Urariá Member show some evidences similar to the Abacaxis Member too. Due to the low concentration of the cyclic biomarkers in the samples of the weel B, the characterization of the origin of the organic matter of Erere Formation was not possible. The assessment of the parameters utilized for the interpretation of the themal evolution, such as Tmax, transformation ratio (TR), production index (IP), calculated vitrinite reflectance (Roc) and the ratios pristane/nC17 and phytane/nC18, indicate that the source rock of Well A had generation of hydrocarbon, but still does not happened the migration. In case of Well B, the data shows that in this interval already had generation and migration of hydrocarbon.

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