Ar-ion polishing FE-SEM analysis of organic maceral identification

Abstract

Argon-ion polishing field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) is a common method to characterize the microscopic pore structure characteristics of shale reservoirs, but organic macerals cannot be directly identified by FE-SEM alone. Fluorescence microscopy is the main method for identifying macerals. Through a large number of localized FE-SEM and fluorescence microscopy observations, the microscopic characteristics of specific macerals under FE-SEM were summarized. The macerals visualized using FE-SEM can be interpreted based on features such as the external shape, hardness, brightness, color, relief, organic pore development characteristics and fissure development characteristics of the organic matter. Telinite, collotelinite, vitrodetrinite, fusinite, semifusinite, funginite, inertodetrinite, oil bitumen and pyrobitumen were identified.

Keywords

• argon-ion polishing
• fe-sem
• organic macerals