Illitization of Smectite in Sandstones: The Permian Unayzah Reservoir, Saudi Arabia

Khalid Al-Ramadan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The transformation of smectite to illite through a mixed-layer illite/smectite is a major clay mineral reaction that occurs in a range of diagenetic environments and is commonly observed in siliciclastic sedimentary basins worldwide. This reaction is controlled by several chemical and physical factors. Two of the major controlling factors are temperature and potassium availability within the sediments. Illite coating in the Permian Unayzah reservoir has two main morphologies, platelet-like and fibrous illite. The former is interpreted as formed by transformation of infiltrated smectite during burial. The latter has likely been formed by precipitation from pore water.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)407-412
Number of pages6
JournalArabian Journal for Science and Engineering
Volume39
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Illite/smectite
  • Illitization
  • Sandstone
  • Smectite
  • Unayzah reservoir

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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