阅读说明：本技术 确定岩层含量 (Determining formation content ) 是由 阿纳斯·阿尔马佐克 于 2018-02-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于确定岩层中的硅质岩的量的技术包括：识别针对包括硅质岩、石英和锆石在内的第一地下地层的所选择区域的第一测井数据；识别针对与第一地下地层不同的第二地下地层的第二测井数据,第二地下地层包括硅质岩、石英和锆石；基于所述第一测井数据来确定所选择区域中的石英与锆石的第一体积比；基于所述第二测井数据来确定石英与锆石的第二体积比；确定第二体积比的最大值；以及基于第一体积比和第二体积比以及第二体积比的最大值,计算所选择区域中的硅质岩的体积百分比。(Techniques for determining the amount of silicalite in a rock formation include: identifying first log data for a selected region of a first subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon; identifying second well log data for a second subterranean formation different from the first subterranean formation, the second subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon; determining a first volume ratio of quartz to zircon in the selected region based on the first log data; determining a second volume ratio of quartz to zircon based on the second well log data; determining a maximum value of the second volume ratio; and calculating the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and the maximum of the second volume ratio.)

1. A computer-implemented method for determining an amount of silicalite in a rock formation, the method comprising:

identifying first log data for a selected region of a first subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon;

identifying second well log data for a second subterranean formation different from the first subterranean formation, the second subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon;

determining a first volume ratio of quartz to zircon in the selected region based on the first log data;

determining a second volume ratio of quartz to zircon based on the second well log data;

determining a maximum value of the second volume ratio; and

calculating a volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and a maximum of the second volume ratio.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

the absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region is calculated based on the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein calculating the absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region comprises:

determining a total volume of quartz in the selected region; and

multiplying the volume percent of silicalite in the selected region by the total volume of quartz in the selected region.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first subterranean formation comprises a marine sedimentary subterranean environment and the second subterranean formation comprises a non-marine sedimentary subterranean environment.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein calculating the volume percent of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and a maximum of the second volume ratio comprises solving the following equation:

wherein, P_chertIs the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region, R_zoneIs the first volume ratio, R_BaselineIs the second volume ratio, and R_maxIs the maximum value of said second volume ratio.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the selected region comprises a Qusaiba geological formation.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region on a graphical user interface.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region comprises: displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite as a function of depth between the shallowest depth of the selected region and the deepest depth of the selected region.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: recommending adjustments to the drilling or completion operations based at least in part on the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: the first log data is received from a logging tool in a wellbore formed through the selected region of the first subterranean formation.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the logging tool comprises a Logging While Drilling (LWD) tool.

12. A system, comprising:

one or more hardware processors; and

one or more memory modules storing instructions executable by the one or more hardware processors to perform operations comprising:

identifying first log data for a selected region of a first subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon;

identifying second well log data for a second subterranean formation different from the first subterranean formation, the second subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon;

determining a first volume ratio of quartz to zircon in the selected region based on the first log data;

determining a second volume ratio of quartz to zircon based on the second well log data;

determining a maximum value of the second volume ratio; and

calculating a volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and a maximum of the second volume ratio.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise:

the absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region is calculated based on the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein calculating the absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region comprises:

determining a total volume of quartz in the selected region; and

multiplying the volume percent of silicalite in the selected region by the total volume of quartz in the selected region.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first subterranean formation comprises a marine sedimentary subterranean environment and the second subterranean formation comprises a non-marine sedimentary subterranean environment.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein calculating the volume percent of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and a maximum of the second volume ratio comprises solving the following equation:

wherein, P_chertIs the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region, R_zoneIs the first volume ratio, R_BaselineIs the second volume ratio, and R_maxIs the maximum value of said second volume ratio.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the selected region comprises a quasib geological formation.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region on a graphical user interface.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region comprises: displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite as a function of depth between the shallowest depth of the selected region and the deepest depth of the selected region.

20. The system of claim 12, further comprising: recommending adjustments to the drilling or completion operations based at least in part on the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region.

21. The system of claim 12, further comprising a logging tool communicably coupled with the one or more hardware processors, and the operations further comprising receiving the first log data from the logging tool in a borehole formed through the selected region of the first subterranean formation.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving the first log data from the logging tool during formation of the wellbore through the selected region of the first subterranean formation.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to determining the content of rock formations, and more particularly to determining the amount of silicalite in rock formations including quartz.

Background

Silicalite is a rock having the same or similar elemental composition as quartz. Thus, conventional logging tools that measure density, neutrons and resistivity can only identify silicalite as quartz on the subsurface formations, not silicalite itself. However, silicalite has a higher rock strength relative to many other rocks in hydrocarbon-bearing formations, and the presence of silicalite in subterranean formations can increase the difficulty of drilling and completion operations.

Disclosure of Invention

Implementations of methods and systems for determining an amount of silicalite in a subterranean formation are described. In some aspects, the amount of silicalite is determined from conventional logs identifying the volume ratio of quartz (having an elemental structure similar to silicalite) to zircon in a selected formation and baseline logs from a subsurface formation independent of the selected formation and a particular region (e.g., a known hydrocarbon-bearing region) in the formation.

In an example implementation, a technique for determining an amount of silicalite in a rock formation includes: identifying first log data for a selected region of a first subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon; identifying second well log data for a second subterranean formation different from the first subterranean formation, the second subterranean formation comprising silicalite, quartz, and zircon; determining a first volume ratio of quartz to zircon in the selected region based on the first log data; determining a second volume ratio of quartz to zircon based on the second well log data; determining a maximum value of the second volume ratio; and calculating the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and the maximum of the second volume ratio.

Aspects combinable with example implementations include calculating an absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region based on a volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region.

In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, calculating the absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region comprises: determining a total volume of silicalite in the selected region; and multiplying the volume percent of silicalite in the selected region by the total volume of quartz in the selected region.

In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, the first subterranean formation comprises a marine sedimentary subterranean environment and the second subterranean formation comprises a non-marine sedimentary subterranean environment.

In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, calculating the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and a maximum of the second volume ratio comprises: the following equation is solved:wherein, P_chertIs the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region, R_zoneIs a first volume ratio, R_BaselineIs a second volume ratio, and R_maxIs the maximum value of the second volume ratio.

In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, the selected region includes a quasib geological formation.

In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, further comprising displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region on a graphical user interface.

In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region comprises: displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite as a function of depth between the shallowest depth of the selected region and the deepest depth of the selected region.

A further aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects further comprises: recommending adjustments to the drilling or completion operations based at least in part on the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region.

Another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects further includes receiving first log data from a logging tool in a wellbore formed through a selected region of a first subterranean formation.

In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, the logging tool comprises a Logging While Drilling (LWD) tool.

Example implementations thereof, and aspects thereof, may be embodied in systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media. For example, a system of one or more computers may be configured to perform particular actions by software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of software, firmware, or hardware installed on the system that, when operated, causes the system to perform the actions. One or more computer programs may be configured to perform particular actions by comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the actions.

Implementations of methods and systems according to the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features. For example, the methods and systems for determining the amount of silicalite in a subterranean formation may utilize conventional well logging techniques to determine the amount of silicalite. Accordingly, the disclosed methods and systems may eliminate or help eliminate the need to also study rock samples of a subterranean formation in a laboratory to determine the amount of silicalite in the formation. Further, the disclosed methods and systems may determine larger quantities with the same cost and time efficiency, thereby saving time and money.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Implementations may be in the form of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media. For example, a system of one or more computers may be configured to perform particular actions by software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of software, firmware, or hardware installed on the system that, when operated, causes the system to perform the actions. One or more computer programs may be configured to perform particular actions by comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the actions. Features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example system for determining an amount of silicalite in a geological formation according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an example method for determining an amount of silicalite in a geological formation according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating log data and calculated values used in the example method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating rock strength measurements obtained by performing scratch tests on a rock sample used in laboratory tests for rock formations comprising silicalite for use in the example method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a photomicrograph of a source rock formation containing silicalite used to confirm the example method of FIG. 2 showing a laboratory test.

Fig. 6 shows a focused ion beam and a scanning electron microscope image of a sample from a silicalite-containing rock formation used in a laboratory test for confirming the example method of fig. 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a computing system for a computer-implemented method for image-based analysis of a geological thin layer.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example system 100 for determining an amount of silicalite in a geological formation. Generally, FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of one embodiment of a system 100 in which a logging tool, e.g., logging tool 118, may generate or record logging data for determining an amount of silicalite in a particular portion of a subsurface region. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 1, the logging tool 118 is part of or coupled to a Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA)120, the BHA120 including a drill bit or other borehole formation tool (e.g., a laser or other instrument). In this example, the generated or recorded logging data is used by control system 122 to calculate the amount of silicalite based at least in part on data describing the amount of quartz and zircon within a particular geological formation.

In some aspects, the system 100 may be used to quantify the amount of silicalite present in a particular geological formation based at least in part on geochemical volumetric ratio data derived from logging data acquired in another wellbore system, e.g., within the system 100, or derived from another subsurface formation separate from the subsurface formation shown in fig. 1. For example, because silicalite is composed of the same or very similar elemental composition as quartz, well log data such as density, neutron, and gamma data may only identify the presence of quartz in the formation, but not silicalite and quartz as separate components. By utilizing a system such as system 100, the need for having to collect rock samples of a particular formation to determine the presence of silicalite may be reduced or eliminated.

As shown, the system 100 accesses a subsurface formation 110 and provides access to hydrocarbons located in the subsurface formation 110. In an example implementation of the system 100, the system 100 may be used in a drilling operation in which a BHA120 including a drill bit may be used to form a wellbore 114 (e.g., with a drill string 116, wireline, or other device), the wellbore 114 extending through a subterranean formation 110 to a particular region 112 of the formation 116. In another example implementation of system 100, system 100 may be used for completion operations, e.g., hydraulic fracturing operations, before logging tool 118 may be coupled to drill string 116 (or wireline) without BHA 120.

As shown in fig. 1, an implementation of system 100 includes a drilling assembly 102 deployed on the earth's surface 12. The drilling assembly 102 may be used to form a wellbore 20 extending from a subsea surface 108 and through one or more geological formations in the earth. One or more subterranean formations, such as a subterranean region 110, are located below the seafloor surface 108.

In this example implementation, drilling assembly 102 is deployed on a body of water 106 (e.g., ocean, bay, sea) rather than on the surface. In this figure, drilling assembly 102 is shown as a semi-submersible that floats on body of water 106 while being anchored to subsea surface 108 by one or more tethers 104. However, the present disclosure contemplates that drilling assembly 102 may also be a drilling ship, rig, or other drilling assembly on a body of water or the surface. In short, the present disclosure contemplates that system 100 may be implemented on both land and water surfaces, and that one or more wellbores 114 are formed, developed, and completed from either or both locations.

In an example implementation of the system 100, the wellbore 114 is an open-hole completion (e.g., without casing). The illustrated logging tool 118 (with or without BHA 120) may traverse the wellbore 114 (e.g., from the subsea surface 108 to the bottom of the wellbore 115 within the region 112 of the subterranean formation 110 or through the region 112). In general, a logging tool 118, which may be a Logging While Drilling (LWD) tool, measures properties of the geological formations of the subterranean region 110 as they traverse the wellbore 114. Properties include, for example, resistivity, porosity, speed of sound, gamma rays, and other properties that may define formation properties (e.g., rock type). For example, the logging tool 118 may detect rock morphology (e.g., rock type) based on certain properties, such as density, for distinguishing quartz and zircon in the subterranean formation 110, and more particularly, the selected region 112 of the formation 110. However, as previously mentioned, given the similarity in elemental composition of these two rocks, the rock properties may not be able to distinguish silicalite from quartz.

As shown, the drilling assembly 102 (or other portion of the system 100) includes a control system 122 (e.g., microprocessor-based, electromechanical, or otherwise) that may receive measured logging data from the logging tool 118 (or may identify previously recorded and stored logging data associated with the subsurface formation 110 and the selected region 112). In some aspects, control system 122 may receive a continuous or semi-continuous stream of logging data from logging tool 118, and in some aspects, adjust BHA120 based on the determined amount of silicalite in region 112 of subterranean formation 110. In some aspects, the control system 122 may receive a continuous or semi-continuous stream of logging data from the logging tool 118 and, in some aspects, recommend actions to take for drilling or completion operations in the wellbore 114 based on the determined amount of silicalite in the region 112 of the subterranean formation 110.

The control system 122 may store (e.g., at least temporarily) logging data from the logging tool 118 in a computer-readable medium communicatively coupled to the system 122 or as part of the system 122. The control system 122 may also store normalized logging data that has been acquired (or previously acquired) from a subsurface formation different from the subsurface formation 110. For example, the normalized log data may be log data from nearby (e.g., wellbore 114 or formation 110) non-relevant formations. In the example shown, the normalized well log data may be from a subsurface formation having a source rock different from the source rock of the subsurface formation 110, for example. Further, in the example shown, the normalized well log data may not be a marine depositional environment but may be a subsurface formation located below the surface of the earth as opposed to the seafloor surface, for example. In some aspects, the subterranean formation 110 may be a quasib shale formation that includes quartz, silicalite, and zircon minerals, among other rocks. Thus, the normalized log data may be log data from a different or distinct formation than the qsaiba shale formation.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 200 for determining an amount of silicalite in a geological formation. In some aspects, the method 200 may be performed by or with the system 100 shown in fig. 1. The method 200 begins at step 202, which includes identifying well log data for a selected region of a first subterranean formation including silicalite, quartz, and zircon. For example, as depicted, the subterranean formation 110 may be a formation such as a Qusaiba shale formation that includes silicalite, quartz, and zircon (e.g., according to known morphologies). The identified logging data, which may be stored or previously stored or received directly from a logging tool within the wellbore, may provide (e.g., by density measurements) a volumetric log (e.g., as a function of depth) of quartz in the formation and a volumetric log (e.g., as a function of depth) of zircon in the formation. For example, turning briefly to FIG. 3, a graph 300 illustrates log data and calculated values used in the example method 200. Column 302 includes a log 312 showing the amount of quartz by volume (in terms of depth) in a subsurface formation including a selected region of the formation (e.g., region 112 of formation 110). Column 304 includes a log 314 that shows the amount of zircon by volume (as a function of depth) in the subsurface formation, including the selected region of the formation (e.g., region 112 of formation 110).

The method 200 continues to step 204, which includes identifying well log data for a second subterranean formation that is different from the first subterranean formation. For example, as described, the normalized well log data may be acquired from formations that are different (e.g., different known morphologies, different locations, etc.) than the selected subsurface formation and the selected region within the formation.

The method 200 continues to step 206, which includes determining a first volume ratio of quartz to zircon in the selected region based on well log data for the first subsurface region. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, column 306 shows a volume ratio log 316 of quartz to zircon as a function of depth in the wellbore. For example, the ratio may be calculated from logs 312 and 314 showing the volume of quartz and zircon, respectively, from the depth in the wellbore from which the log data originated.

The method 200 continues to step 208, which includes determining a second volumetric ratio of quartz to zircon based on well log data for a second subsurface region. For example, similar to the log data from the first subsurface region shown in fig. 3, the normalized log data may include a quartz-to-zircon volume log as a function of depth, which may be used to develop a quartz-to-zircon volume ratio for unrelated subsurface formations. FIG. 3 shows a normalized quartz to zircon volume ratio log 318 in volume 306. In some aspects, log 318 represents a zero or "no silica rock" line, which may be used as a scale ratio (scaling) for the quartz to zircon volume ratio log 316. For example, in some aspects, the log 318 may be used to identify a background response of a subterranean formation to be drilled (or that has been drilled). The second volume ratio (e.g., log 318) may be determined by selecting an average quartz-to-zircon ratio reading for a subsurface formation that is not within the selected formation (e.g., formation 110) and the selected region of the formation (e.g., region 112). In some aspects, such a separate subsurface formation is not within a marine depositional environment, or does not include a particular source rock hydrocarbon-bearing formation, such as, for example, the quasib shale in this example.

The method 200 continues to step 210, which includes determining a maximum value for the second volume ratio. For example, the maximum value of the second volume ratio may be determined by maximizing a normalized quartz-to-zircon volume ratio for the unrelated subterranean formation based on the normalized well log data.

The method 200 continues to step 212, which includes calculating a volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region based on the first and second volume ratios and a maximum of the second volume ratio. In some aspects, the volume percent of silicalite in the selected region (e.g., for a qsaiba source rock formation) is based on the following equation:

wherein P is_chertIs the volume percent of silicalite in the selected region (shown in FIG. 3 as log 324 in column 308), R_zoneIs a first volume ratio, R_BaselineIs a second volume ratio, R_maxIs the maximum value of the second volume ratio.

The method 200 continues to step 214, which includes calculating an absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region based on the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region. For example, the absolute volume of silicalite in the selected region may be determined by multiplying the volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region determined in step 212 by the volume of quartz in the selected region (e.g., log 312).

The method 200 continues to step 216, which includes displaying the calculated volume percentage of silicalite in the selected region on a graphical user interface. For example, in some aspects, the graphical display 300 may be displayed to a user in real-time, such as during logging or logging while drilling, or after such operations.

The method 200 continues to step 218, which includes determining whether the calculated volume percentage or absolute volume of silicalite exceeds a threshold. For example, in some aspects such a drilling party or other entity associated with drilling and/or completing a hydrocarbon well may wish to avoid drilling or completing a well (e.g., fracturing) through silicalite where possible. For example, the presence of silicalite in subterranean formations and selected zones (e.g., for production/completion operations) can affect drilling and, in some cases, horizontal well placement. When a horizontal well is planned to traverse a formation that includes silicalite, it may be difficult to traverse the formation (e.g., up, down, across) due to the hardness of the silicalite, and several drill bit changes may be required to complete drilling. With respect to completion operations such as hydraulic fracturing, unconventional or tight formations containing high silicalite volume ratios may be difficult to fracture or fracture with acceptably high fracture efficiency. Furthermore, any fracture growth may be limited when it strikes the silicalite in the formation or region. Accordingly, during drilling and completion operations, it may be preferable to avoid subsurface formations or selected regions that include silicalite having a volume percentage above a predetermined threshold.

For example, fig. 3 shows the effect that the presence of silicalite may have on drilling characteristics such as rate of penetration (ROP) and Weight On Bit (WOB). Column 310 shows the drilling properties of an example drilling operation through a first subterranean formation, including a ROP log 326 and a WOB log 328. As shown in column 310, while ROP remains fairly constant in the presence of silicalite (shown by log 324), WOB increases as the amount of silicalite in the subterranean formation increases. Thus, drilling operations are less efficient with an increased volume ratio of silicalite in the subterranean formation (e.g., more WOB is required to drill at the same ROP).

The method 200 continues to step 220, which includes recommending adjustments to the drilling or completion operations based on the calculated volume percent of silicalite. For example, knowing the volume ratio of silicalite, it may be recommended to drill a well at other locations or depths, abandon the drilling operation or fracturing operation, and reposition the fracturing operation so that the silicalite is not between the wellbore and the selected hydrocarbon-bearing zone of the subterranean formation, for example.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating rock strength measurements obtained by performing a scratch test on a rock sample used in a laboratory test for a rock formation containing silicalite for use in the example method of FIG. 2. For example, the accuracy of the results of method 200 was evaluated by using data from the laboratory and the field to validate the methodology of determining the amount of silicalite according to fig. 2 and the present disclosure. For example, rock samples from different wells in a Qusaiba source formation are evaluated in a laboratory. Laboratory measurements of rock strength show: the rock strength values are higher in the entire region with silicalite. Uniaxial compressive strength and laboratory scratch tests showed that the rock in the silicalite formation was exceptionally hard, and the silicalite formation also included organics, sandstone, carbonate and different types of clay.

The graph 400 of fig. 4 shows the results from these laboratory tests performed on rock samples from a quasib formation. The graph 400 includes raw log data 402, which is displayed over the depth of the borehole from which the rock sample was acquired. Raw log data 402 shows log data (e.g., density, neutrons, and gamma rays) from a source formation. Lithology log 404 displays the formation composition; in this case clastic rock formations with a content of source rock (kerogen) including quartz, silicalite, illite, chlorite, kaolinite, calcite and other minerals of albite. The graph 400 also includes a thorium-uranium depositional 230 dating ("TH/U") log 406, shown here to indicate that the source formation is a marine depositional environment. For example, TH/U data can indicate the age of a calcium carbonate material, such as sphingosine or coral, in a marine sedimentary environment. Finally, the graph 400 includes: a rock strength log 408 showing the results of laboratory scratch test rock strength of the source formation rock sample. As shown in the graph 400 and in particular the rock strength log 408, while the raw log data 402 does not indicate any significant change over the entire formation including silicalite, the rock strength log 408 indicates (by a greater rock strength indication) silicalite in the formation.

FIG. 5 is a photomicrograph 500 showing a source rock formation containing silicalite from a laboratory test used to confirm the example method of FIG. 2. For example, the photomicrograph 500 is taken of a rock sample of a quasib formation for detecting the presence of silicalite in the formation, even though the log data (without distinguishing between quartz and silicalite) does not show the presence of silicalite in the sample. As shown in the highlighted portion in the labeled box, micrograph 500 shows the presence of a microcrystalline authigenic quartz layer in a rock sample (from a formation that was quantified using method 200 for silicalite). In some aspects, the presence of a microcrystalline authigenic quartz layer is indicative of silicalite in the formation.

Fig. 6 shows focused ion beams and scanning electron microscope images 602 and 604 of samples from a formation containing silicalite used in laboratory experiments to confirm the example method of fig. 2. For example, images 602 and 604 are taken of a rock sample of the quassiba formation for detecting the presence of silicalite in the formation. Images 602 and 604 are obtained from imaging two rock samples from the same well formed in the same subsurface formation. Image 602 is a rock sample from a shallower portion of the borehole relative to the rock sample shown in image 604. Image 602 shows that the shallower rock sample has rubble pores (shown as black portions in the image) due to overburden and small matrix support. Image 604 shows that the deeper samples have identified silicalite and, as known to be high strength rock, the silicalite protects the pores (round black sections) from crushing. Indeed, image 604 shows an almost perfectly circular pore surrounded by silicalite, the rock matrix support resists overburden to form such a pore and prevents the pore from being crushed by organic matter.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a computing system for a computer-implemented method (e.g., the method 200 shown in FIG. 2). The system 700 can be used for the operations described in association with any of the computer-implemented methods previously described, for example, as the control system 122 included within the wellbore system 100 shown in FIG. 1.

System 700 is intended to include various forms of digital computers such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The system 700 may also include mobile devices such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices. Additionally, the system may include a portable storage medium, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive. For example, a USB flash drive may store an operating system and other applications. The USB flash drive may include input/output components, such as a wireless transmitter or a USB connector that may be plugged into a USB port of another computing device.

The system 700 includes a processor 710, a memory 720, a storage device 730, and an input/output device 740. Each of the components 710, 720, 730, and 740 are interconnected using a system bus 750. Processor 710 is capable of processing instructions for execution within system 700. The processor may be designed using any of a variety of architectures. For example, processor 710 may be a CISC (Complex instruction set computer) processor, RISC (reduced instruction set computer) processor, or MISC (minimal instruction set computer) processor.

In one implementation, the processor 710 is a single-threaded processor. In another implementation, the processor 710 is a multi-threaded processor. The processor 710 is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory 720 or on the storage device 730 to display graphical information for a user interface on the input/output device 740.

Memory 720 stores information within system 700. In one implementation, the memory 720 is a computer-readable medium. In one implementation, the memory 720 is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 720 is a non-volatile memory unit or units. In some implementations, the control module herein may not include the memory module 720.

The storage device 730 is capable of providing mass storage for the system 700. In one implementation, the storage device 730 is a computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, the storage device 730 may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device.

Input/output device 740 provides input/output operations for system 700. In one implementation, the input/output devices 740 include a keyboard and/or pointing device. In another implementation, the input/output device 740 includes a display unit for displaying graphical user interfaces.

The features described may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. The apparatus may be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor, and method steps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions in the described implementations by operating on input data and generating output. The described features can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result. The computer program may be written in any form of programming language, including: a compiled or interpreted language, and the computer program can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing data files. Such devices include magnetic disks (e.g., internal hard disks and removable disks), magneto-optical disks, and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, illustratively semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, these features can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Additionally, such activities may be accomplished via a touch screen flat panel display and other suitable mechanisms.

The features can be implemented in a control system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server or an Internet server), or that includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or an Internet browser), or any combination of the preceding. The components of the system can be connected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a peer-to-peer network (with ad hoc or static members), a grid computing infrastructure, and the internet.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. In a single implementation, certain features described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in suitable subcombinations. Furthermore, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain scenarios, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, example operations, methods, and/or processes described herein may include more steps or fewer steps than those described. Further, the steps in such example operations, methods, and/or processes may be performed in an order different than that described or illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.