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Application of hyperspectral
technology in shale gas exploration

Pengfei Liu, Yingjun Zhao, Hongda Zhang, Tianxu Guo,

Daming Wang

Pengfei Liu, Yingjun Zhao, Hongda Zhang, Tianxu Guo, Daming Wang,
"Application of hyperspectral technology in shale gas exploration," Proc. SPIE
11427, Second Target Recognition and Artificial Intelligence Summit Forum,
114273K (31 January 2020); doi: 10.1117/12.2553038

Event: Second Target Recognition and Artificial Intelligence Summit Forum,

2019, Changchun, China

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 Application of hyperspectral technology in shale gas exploration
Liu Pengfei∗ 1Zhao Yingjun 1 Zhang Hongda2 Guo Tianxu2 Wang Daming2
(1、National Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Information and Image Analysis Technology,
Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, Beijing 100029, China 2、China Geological
Survey Oil and Gas Resources Investigation Center, Beijing 100083, China)

ABSTRACT
Hylogger hyperspectral core scanning system is used to detailed scan shale gas drilling cores, obtaining visible-near
infrared (spectral range 380nm-1100nm), short-wave infrared (spectral range 1100nm-2500nm), thermal infrared
(spectral range 6000-14500nm) spectral curves and high-definition core images. Based on the analysis of mineral
covalent bond vibrations differences which is generated by wavelength discrepancies to extract the mineral information;
、 、
Such as Hydrocarbon quantity carbonate minerals silicate minerals and iron oxides. Form the changes of those minerals
assemblage we could deduce the information of diagenetic temperature and thermal maturity which have instruction
significance for oil and gas exploration, meanwhile, combining with core image color, texture, contrast, brightness
information the lithology can be quickly identified and the sedimentary environment can be inferred too. Integrate the
information can provides a strong basis for the determination of favorable areas for hydrocarbon generation.
Keywords :Hylogger hyperspectral core scanning system;Hyperspectral;Shale gas; Mineral extraction;Lithology
identified ；Diagenetic temperature
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in oil and gas resources investigation and evaluation.
Hundreds of shale gas investigation wells have been deployed every year, at the same time, a large number of drilling
cores have been produced. In order to solve the problem of core preservation, the core image, core spectrum and other
mineral data and parameters are stored in the computer by digital scanning. Users can access and analyze geological
information at any time, which provides convenience for geological research and geological prospecting. In this study,
the Hylogger core scanning system is used to collect the data of the core by non-contact. The high-definition image,
visible-near infrared (380nm-2500nm), short-wave infrared (1100nm-2500nm), thermal infrared (6000nm-14500nm)
reflectance spectrum data of the core are obtained, and the mineral distribution information of the drilling is extracted for
shale gas group drilling research, Provides the basis data for investigation.

1. CORE HYPERSPECTRAL DATA AND IMAGE ACQUISITION

The Hylooger core scanning system used in this study is provided by the Oil and Gas Resources Investigation Center of
China Geological Survey. The system consists of laser positioner, high-definition camera, visible-near infrared-short
wave infrared sensor, thermal infrared sensor and automatic sample platform. Line scanning mode is used to scan
drilling cores, and the scanning speed is the fastest. The scanning time can reach 2 min/m and the minimum scanning
interval is 1 cm.

∗
CONTECT: Liu Pengfei ,male,Beijing,master,Majored in hyperspectral remote sensing research,Email:figerol@126.com

Second Target Recognition and Artificial Intelligence Summit Forum, edited by Tianran Wang,
Tianyou Chai, Huitao Fan, Qifeng Yu, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 11427, 114273K
© 2020 SPIE · CCC code: 0277-786X/20/$21 · doi: 10.1117/12.2553038

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 Figure 1 Hylogger Core Scanning System

Using the difference of mineral absorption characteristics to extract information, the difference of mineral absorption
characteristics mainly depends on the different physical and chemical properties of mineral crystals; that is the valence of
anions and cations, the number of coordination numbers of cations, the quality of main cations, the degree of covalence
of bonds, the distance between anions and cations, and the symmetry of crystals[1];These characteristic absorption refers
to the unique and stable absorption bands of minerals. These bands have relatively stable wavelength positions in
different minerals and have relatively stable and unique waveforms, indicating the existence of some kind of mineral[2].

For example, the diagnostic bands of AL-OH minerals in visible near infrared-shortwave infrared are generally located
in the vicinity of 2165-2225 nm; the diagnostic bands of CO32- minerals are generally located between 2300-2340 nm;
the diagnostic bands of Fe2+ minerals are generally located in the vicinity of 800-1100 nm; and the diagnostic bands of
SO42- minerals are generally located in the vicinity of 1450-1500 nm, - CH is usually W peak, located at 1700-1730 nm
and 2300 nm respectively.

In thermal infrared spectroscopy, there are two broad and complex composite reflection peaks of Silicate between
8500-12000 nm and 4000-6000 nm respectively; Sulfate has a characteristic reflection peak at 8500 nm; Phosphate has a
weak double reflection peak between 13000-16000 nm and a strong double reflection between 8000-10000 nm. There is
a broad reflection peak at 6500 nm for Carbonate and a narrow reflection peak at 11000 nm for Oxides, a broad double
reflection peak between 12000 and 18000 nm for halides, and a broad double reflection peak between 5000 and 10000
nm for Halides.

Figure 2 Spectral curves of typical minerals

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 2. EXTRACTION OF MINERAL INFORMATION
After understanding the spectral characteristics of minerals, the information of the obtained spectra is extracted. Taking
the mineral standard spectral library as a reference, and according to the diagnosable absorption spectral characteristics
of altered minerals, the diagnosable spectral identification marks are established. Generally, the spectral absorption
characteristic parameters extracted from the spectral curve can be used to locate the absorption wavelength, emittance
value, and so on, Depth 、width、slope、 symmetry、area and other parameters are expressed.

Figure 3 Flow chart of hyperspectral core mineral analysis technology

Absorption band position (P) is the wavelength corresponding to the minimum or maximum value of the spectral curve;
spectral to emissivity value (R) at the absorption band position; band depth (H) is due to the fact that mineral chemical
composition has lower emissivity at a certain wavelength point than the adjacent band; width (W) refers to the depth of
the band H. Half the height; slope K=tan-1[(Re-Rs)/( λe-λs)]. The sketch of characteristic parameters of mineral
[3]
absorption is shown in the following figure .

Figure 4 Spectral Absorption Characteristic Parameter Diagram

Among them, Re ,Rs are the absorption endpoint and the incidence of absorption starting point respectively: the
corresponding wavelength is λe,λs.

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 3. EXAMPLES OF DATA APPLICATION
3.1 Distribution of Drilling Minerals

Through the identification maps of main minerals in well drilling named WC, ALOH, Carbonite and chliorite are the
absorption peaks, and the absorption intensity varies with depth. Kaolinite is the change of absorption intensity with depth.The
combination of carbonate and hydroxyl in the maps can identify mica, IM mixed layer, calcite and dolomite minerals. In
the aluminium hydroxyl diagram, it can be seen that the aluminium hydroxyl group is less than 2212 nm, concentrated in
the range of 2198 nm-2210 nm, and the high aluminium species (in the range of 2192-2203 nm, the high temperature of
aluminium content is higher, the absorption peak is in the range of 2204-2212 nm, the low temperature of aluminium
content is in the range of 2212-2220[4]), and the most deep absorption is kaolinite. Montmorillonite is dominant in the
remaining sections. Chlorite is widely distributed in the logging section. Liang Shuneng[5] proposed that the characteristic
absorption wavelength of Fe-OH in chlorite tends to move towards long-wave direction with the increase of chlorite n
(Fe) and N (Al) ion content or the decrease of n (Mg) ion content. From the change of characteristic absorption peak
position, it can be seen that magnesium chlorite is dominant in the front segment, iron chlorite in the middle segment,
and magnesium hydroxyl content is distributed from less to more to less cyclically. Kaolinite is concentrated in the
middle and the bottom, accompanied by iron-bearing chlorite and montmorillonite around kaolinite.

Figure 5 Mineral Distribution Map of WC Well

Montmorillonite has a large specific surface area, which can absorb a large amount of organic matter, especially interlayer organic
matter. It also enlarges the total specific surface of source rocks to a certain extent and is more conducive to adsorbing shale gas. The
content of montmorillonite around kaolinite in this well is the highest, and it is a favorable shale gas enrichment section, This is also

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 consistent with the gas-bearing core segment in the core catalog. At the same time, in the process of sedimentation and diagenesis,
montmorillonite will be transformed into chlorite in the alkaline environment rich in iron and magnesium with the deepening of burial
depth and the rise of temperature. As the temperature rises, the montmorillonite is unstable and dehydration occurs, resulting in some
interlayer collapses, leading to lattice rearrangement and adsorption of alkaline cations, entering the montmorillonite-chlorite mixed
layer stage, and then transforming into chlorite[6,7]. It can be concluded that the changes of environmental temperature, acidity and
alkalinity can be inferred by the metal ion content of minerals and the transformation between minerals.

3.2. Rapid identification of lithology

Based on the mineral information represented by Hyperspectral features and the color 、shape、texture features of
high-definition images, a set of lithology recognition rules for sedimentary rocks is established, which can be used for
fast core recognition. An example of hyperspectral lithology identification can be seen in Figure 6.

Table 1 Hyperspectral Lithology Recognition Rules

Lithology Characteristic description

2320nm-2340nm, 6570nm-6630nm,11190nm-11320nm Obvious absorption peak.
Gray
The image shows uniform texture, grey and gray.
2190nm-2220nm or 2250nm-2260nm Obvious absorption peak, 2340-2380 Secondary absorption peak,
Argillaceous
9560-9600nm Obvious absorption peak.The image is uniform in color and texture.
、
、 、
2190nm-2220nm 2340nm-2380nm absorption peak,
Sandy
8240nm 9080nm 9250nm Obvious absorption peak.The image is variegated.
Silicification Silica is shown as a smooth surface on the image.
carbonization Carbon is shown as black and reflective on the image.
coal seam Coal seams show fragmented and black cores on the image.
2340nm Strong absorption peak, 6630nm, 11320nm Obvious absorption peak.
Calcite vein
The image shows white veins and bands.
2320nm Strong absorption peak, 6570nm, 11190nmObvious absorption peak.
Dolomite
The image is uniform in texture, white, gray or brown.
、 、
8240nm 9250nm Obvious absorption peak, 12500nm 12800nm Secondary absorption peak.
Quartz vein The image shows white veins and bands
(similar to calcite veins in vision, distinguished by thermal infrared spectroscopy).
Pyrite 900nm-1100nm absorption peak.The image is golden.
According to the change of particle size, shape or color along the vertical direction, the type of bedding
Texture
and the filling of fossils can be judged in the image.

Figure 6 Shows the results of hyperspectral lithology identification with well SY as an example

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 4.CONCLUSION
、
(1) Hylooger core scanning system with high stability rich data types and fast acquisition speed, which makes it suitable
for large-scale core scanning.

(2) Using hyperspectral data to identify core minerals can indicate the change of sedimentary environment by mineral
assemblage and content change, which provides fine resolution remote sensing information and important technical
support for the study of metallogenic environment, It can also create good social and economic benefits.

(3) The core lithology classification rules based on image and spectral information are formulated, which are more
precise and fast than traditional methods.

REFERENCES

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[4] YE Fawang, MENG Shu, ZHANG Chuan, Minerageny Study of High-Al,Medium-Al- and Low Al Sericites
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[5] LIANG shuneng GAN Fu Ping YAN Bokun,A Study on the Relationship between the Composition and Spectral
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