Possible Uses of Clay Minerals in the Search For Oil

Abstract

Most of our general knowledge concerning the distribution and geologic significance of clay minerals is summarized in twelve statements. Some examples and numerous suggestions are given to show the use of clay minerals in interpreting and understanding such problems as tectonics, source, age, boundaries, facies, environments, zonation, correlation, and metamorphism; a relation between the relative abundance of expanded clays and the occurrence of hydrocarbons is suggested.It is believed that expanded clays retain their pore water to greater depths of burial than do other clays, and that it is this water which transports much of the hydrocarbon. It is shown that whereas time has little effect on the contraction of expanded clays, it does affect the expulsion of pore water from shales.