Origin of Secondary Porosity and Cement Distribution in a Sandstone/Shale Sequence from the Frio Formation (Oligocene)

Abstract Petrographic, SEM, and chemical analyses of closely spaced samples from a core of sandstone and shale (Oligocene Frio Formation, Brazoria County, Texas) reveal a mechanism for secondary porosity development. Maturation of organic and inorganic materials in the shale produced a solvent solution which, upon expulsion, resulted in zoned reservoir quality in the adjacent sandstone. Framework grain dissolution (secondary porosity) originated at the sandstone/shale contact zone (near the solvent source). Aluminum in this zone was not conserved by the process but instead was removed by mobile, shale-derived organic complexers. The production of these complexers (ligands) appears to be essential to the process of framework grain dissolution. Aluminum removal elevated the silica activity and resulted in precipitation of authigenic quartz cement. Secondary porosity was developed to a lesser extent farther away from the shale. Imported aluminum from the contact zone and a failure to complex aluminum adequately resulted in kaolinite precipitation. This sink for silica prohibited quartz precipitation. This general process of framework grain dissolution is probably common in sandstone/shale sequences. In summary, secondary porosity development is accentuated by: (1) high initial permeability, (2) increased relative thickness of shale to sandstone, (3) increased organic content in the shale, and (4) abundant soluble grains (potential secondary pores).