Geochemical Characterization and Adsorption Potential of Black Sandstone from an Oil Reservoir in Eastern Saudi Arabia: Implications for Environmental Remediation
Keywords:
Oil reservoir, Adsorption, Mineralogical analysis, Reservoir rocks, Environmental remediation, XRDAbstract
This study investigates subsurface reservoir-derived rock samples collected during oil well drilling operations at depths of 2000 ft and 4000 ft in an oil reservoir in eastern Saudi Arabia, aiming to evaluate their mineralogical characteristics and adsorption potential. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The 2000-ft sample has a silicate-dominated composition, with XRD and FTIR identifying quartz, feldspar, and clay-related components. In contrast, the 4000-ft sample is carbonate-dominated, with calcite as the major mineral phase. SEM observations revealed differences in grain arrangement and the visibility of intergranular spaces between the two depth intervals, consistent with the observed mineralogical variations. BET analysis showed a moderate specific surface area of 23.225 m²/g for the 2000-ft sample, suggesting measurable potential for adsorption applications. UV–Vis measurements indicated hydrocarbon-associated absorption features, with relatively stronger signals observed in the shallower sample. Thermogravimetric analysis further revealed distinct thermal behaviors between the two samples. The results demonstrate that mineralogical composition and depth-related variation significantly influence the structural and adsorption potential characteristics of reservoir-derived materials. The silicate-dominated 2000-ft sample exhibits more favorable adsorption potential than the deeper carbonate-dominated sample, highlighting the importance of mineralogical variability in evaluating the environmental application potential of subsurface reservoir materials.
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