Comparative pore surface area in primary and secondary porosity in sandstones

Abstract

Primary and secondary porosity in sandstones possess different pore geometry characteristics, but these are not well quantified. The pore surface area in 2 suites of sandstones exhibiting only primary porosity (Permo-Triassic, Northern Ireland) and only secondary porosity (Cambrian, England) were measured using JMicrovision software. The data show pore surface areas per unit pore volume ∼2.5 times as great in the secondary porosity compared to the primary porosity. This difference is great enough to have a significant impact on properties dependent on pore surface area, including oil production and capacity for microbial colonization in the deep biosphere.