Surface analysis of liquid adsorption onto shale

Abstract Shale rocks are one of the world's most important unconventional gas resources today, thanks to technical advancements. Fluid adsorption in tight like shale is critical for designing fracturing and treatment fluids. However, fluids not fully understood, quantifying it remains difficult. In addition, complicated pore structure makes characterisation challenging. Wettability can be used understand affinity a solid surface adhere certain fluid. Shales present several basic problems when employing standard techniques because their small grain size, low permeability, reactive components. We assessed compare wettability using contact angle spontaneous imbibition methods two samples. The findings showed no correlation between curves. Such behaviour due heterogeneity surface. Contact produces local wetting characteristics, but sample rather complex therefore representative. Imbibition results might more reliable since contacts with whole sample.