• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.359-373
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• 2013

Shale is considered as a source rock for conventional oil and gas exploration and development because shale is fine-grained detrital sedimentary rock which can preserve the organic matter better. Shale has a good sealing capacity for the petroleum trap due to its low permeability. Commercial recoveries of gas from shale in the North America based on the development of technologies of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing reveal that shale also function as a effective reservoir rock. Geochemical techniques to evaluate generation potential of the hydrocarbons from organic matter in the source rocks can be applied for the exploration of the shale gas resources. To evaluate shale gas resources, it is important to understand various geochemical processes and shale characteristics controlling generation, storage and estimation of shale gas reserves. In this paper, the generation mechanism of the oil and gas from organic matter is reviewed, and geochemical techniques which can be applied for the evaluation and characterization of shale gas are introduced.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.503-511
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• 2011

The Upper Devonian Grosmont Formation in northern Alberta, Canada, underlies the erosion unconformity that formed between the Cretaceous and Upper Devonian. The formation is divided into four units on the basis of intercalated shales and showing a typical shelf environment of shallowing-upward. It was possible to separate four units(LG~UG3), considering the seismic interpretation attributes of polarity, continuity, frequency/spacing and amplitude and showing the reflection characteristics of the medium-high amplitude, medium-low frequency, good continuity, and subparallel reflection events. The formation can be interpreted as shelf or platform, based on in-situ core data. However, it is difficult, only with reflection attributes and features, to recognize the boundaries and sedimentary environment of parasequence. Therefore, we try to interprete by parasequence set in this study. The parasequence set was formed by erosion unconformity with systems tracts. The erosion unconformity can be recognized by facies data and karst, erosional surface. Grosmont carbonate deposits ranging from platform and shelf to shelf slope are; by wedge-shaped strata of characterized by complex sigmoid-oblique progradational configurations, reflecting a depositional history of upbuilding and outbuilding in response to sea-level changes. Most of the sedimentary units is interpreted as platforms under regression and lowstand environments that support is evidences. In particular, shale layer at the basal part of the highstand systems tracts represents the regressive to lowstand of sea level.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.179-190
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• 1999

The overall structural framework was studied using the regional 2D seismic data, followed by the sequence stratigraphic study on the 3D seismic and well- log data in the margin of the South Con Son basin of the South China Sea. This research contributes to delineate depositional stratigraphy, depositional environment and geologic history in the 3D seismic area of highly complicated faulting. Eight Miocene sequences were indicated on the 3D seismic and well-log data, in which the structural maps of each sequence boundary and the isochron maps for the corresponding sequence were made. The seismic facies were analyzed for each sequence volume and sequence boundary surface. The 3D seismic area is characterized by coal beds deposited in the transgression environment (transgression systems tract) and channel distributions just above the sequence boundaries. During the Early Miocene, the coals and thick shales deposited in the mangrove swamp representing the lower coastal plain environment. During the Mid to Late Miocene, thick clastic sediments deposited in the coastal to shallow shelf by regional subsidence and marine transgression. The isochron maps and structural patterns indicate that the sediments were transported from west to east or from northwest to southeast.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 2014

3D magnetic inversion, based on the assemblage of 2D forward modeling and inversion as a practical technique to reflect the a priori information, was conducted to investigate the spatial distribution features of black-shale related and pyrometamorphic uranium deposit and several lithological units of Ogcheon Super Group in an area of Geumsan. By using the 3D visualization technique with suitable susceptibility interval and horizontal slice map, the spatial distribution of magnetic susceptibility corresponded to the black shale related uranium bearing lithological units, Black Slate member was well coincided with a information of uranium deposit. Also, even though it is indirect indicator for the detetction of uranium deposits interbedded in Gray Hornfels member, spatial susceptibility distribution which shows the south-east magnetic linearment corresponding to the Majeon-ri formation and Dark Gray Slate were matched well. From this investigation, we inferred that maximum depth extension which Black Slate member can be separately recognized with respect to adjacent Dark Gray Slate with strong magnetic susceptibility anomaly is about 150m with reference elevation level of 306m. In addition, Majeon-ri formation located south of Black Slate member revels relatively high magnetic susceptibility range but shows high spatial susceptibility fluctation. And, as an intrusive rocks, Jurassic Biotite Granite shows relatively low magnetic susceptibility characteristics. On the contrary, Cretaceous granite distributed in soutthern part of the study area shows the relatively high susceptibility distribution.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2014

Development of unconventional natural resources such as shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane, has been activated and improved the productivity due to the recent technology advance in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. However, the flowback water mixed with chemical additives, and the brine water containing oil, gas, high levels of salts and radioactive metals is produced during the gas production. Potential negative environmental impact due to large volumes of the produced wastewater is increasingly seen as the major obstacles to the unconventional natural resource development. In this study an integrated framework for the flowback and brine water treatment is proposed, and we reviewed the upcoming state of the art technology in water treatment. Basic separation processes which include not only membrane, evaporation, crystallization and desalination processes, but the potential water reuse and recycling techniques can be applied for the unconventional natural resource industry.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.268-289
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• 2013

The Dinosaur tracksite at Jeori, Geumseongmyeon, Euiseonggun, Gyeongsangbukdo, Korea (National Monument No. 373) has been studied in the aspects of location, stratigraphy, sedimentology, fossil occurrence, unique geological records, literature, significance in natural history, preservation, and management. On the basis of these features, the Jeori tracksite has been assessed semiquantitavely. The Jeori tracksite occurs in the Sagok Formation (Albian) of the Euiseong sub-basin, and over 300 footprints forming 12 sauropod trackways, 10 ornithopod trackways, and 1 theropod trackways are preserved in this tracksite. The track-bearing deposits consist of tabular-bedded medium- to fine-grained arkose with mudstone drape, interlaminated fine-grained sandstone to siltstone and mudstone, and shaly mudstone. The dinosaur tracks are preserved in the interlaminated fine-grained sandstone to siltstone and mudstone, and most of them are observed as underprints. The track-bearing deposits are interpreted as sheetflood deposits on the floodplain under a seasonal paleoclimatic condition with alternating of wetting and drying periods. Multiple tension fractures with NE strike were formed in the track-bearing bed, which resulted in that tracks seem to occur in several horizons. The significance in natural history of the tracksite can be summarized as follows: 1) the historical implication of the Jeori tracksite as the firstly designated National Monument of dinosaur fossil sites, 2) the high density of the occurrence of diverse footprints (over 300) within small area (about $1,600m^2$), and 3) the significance of the tension fractures associated with the track-bearing bed as geoeducational records for the understanding the development of fault. In order to share the value of the Jeori tracksite in the aspect of natural history with the community and public, the interpretive panel should be modified to include figures explaining paleoenvironment and tension fault development. In addition it is recommended that a brochure be published briefly explaining the tracksite and to educate the residents about the natural and social significance of the tracksite. For the safety of visitors it would be desirable for the road in front of the tracksite to be moved at least 10 m southward, which could mitigate the shaking of the track bed caused by traffic.