Shale deposits, unconventional rock formations containing natural gas, typically require horizontal wellbore drilling to extract the gas. Lateral lengths of shale gas can be up to 10,000 feet within the shale, traversing in x, y, and z directions, at depths as low as 20,000 feet below the earth's surface. Horizontal drilling utilizes hydraulic fracturing to connect large areas of the reservoir to the well to increase extraction rates from targeted formations.

Field portable XRD & XRF analyzers are ideal tools for finding targeted formations with speed and accuracy. They help maximize the efficiency of expensive drilling operations by quickly finding commercially viable target zones for fracturing the rock while minimizing environmental disruptions.

Portable XRD for Mineralogy

The Terra Field Portable XRD quickly identifies and quantifies the mineralogy of drill cuttings to help find the right location. The Terra directly measures dolomite, chlorite, illite, calcite, pyrite, quartz, albite, clay, feldspar, silicates, aluminosilicates, carbonates, sulfides, apatite and more. The Terra can be used to test along lateral lengths of shale deposits quickly providing mineralogy to help determine fracture potential and reservoir quality. With the Terra portable XRD , cuttings can be analyzed more quickly and at closer intervals to help stay on track.

Portable XRF for Metals & Elements

Portable XRF analyzers quickly and accurately identify elements of interest for zone boundaries, fracturability and productivity. Chemical composition of surface and bagged soils, cores and cuttings can be measured rapidly with the DEL TA handheld to determine zone boundaries and fracture potential. Field samples can be collected, split and bagged to analyze for productivity using the Terra for mineralogy and the X-5000 for trace elements, as well as to reveal poorly crystalline or amorphous phases such as phosphates.

Field portable XRD & XRF aid in staying with the lateral shale gas wells as they traverse within the earth. They help keep drilling productive and on course saving time and money as well as minimizing environmental disturbances by reducing unnecessary well drills for sustainable resourcing.

Terra Portable XRD for Shale Gas Drilling

The Terra makes it possible to rapidly perform mineral identification and quantification in the field, thus allowing for rapid feedback. The concept of "chasing the vein" of a given mineral strata becomes much easier with a full understanding of the mineral identification as represented in the drill cuttings. The Terra requires loose powders of <100mm which is easily achieved using a simple crusher and sample sieve.

Combined with simple sample preparation, the Terra provides both ease of use and fast analysis. Directly measure clays, quartz, feldspar, dolomite and more with the field portable Terra XRD .