Mössbauer Spectroscopic Study of Samples from Cambay Shale Formation, Cambay Basin, in Context of Shale Gas or Shale Oil

Abstract

In Cambay basin (India) a thick sedimentary sequence exits consisting of shales. This sequence is known as Cambay Shale Formation (both younger and older). In the present investigation 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study was carried on samples of Cambay Shale Formation. These samples are collected from various depth interval from well UBER#2. Results thus obtained are also compared with the Mössbauer spectroscopic study already available on shale samples of (from Cambay Shale Formation) well K-263. It was found that samples from well UBER#2 show presence of iron mainly in clay forming minerals in Fe2+ state, but show no presence of pyrite or ferric sulphate minerals. In contrast sample studied from well K-263 show presence of iron mainly in pyrite and in ferric sulphate but iron clay minerals is absent in most of the samples. Implication of distribution of iron minerals in these wells is discussed in context of future shale oil and shale gas exploration from this basin.