Relation between the dissolution rates of single minerals and reservoir rocks in acidified pore waters

A series of kinetic experiments has been carried out to investigate the rates of dissolution (release of Al and Si) of common sandstone minerals in response to acidification of pore waters (pH = 3), using an experimental procedure designed to maximise the proportion of solid to fluid, and to minimise possible damage from agitation. The results have then been compared with those from experiments using disaggregated sandstones from two North Sea reservoirs. Experiments were carried out at 25 °C and 80 °C and in 0.01, 0.1 and 1 M NaCl solutions, with a pH of 3. Hydrochloric acid was used as the source of acidity and rate constants were determined based on both release of Al and Si. Mineral dissolution rates were closely comparable to literature values, despite the different experimental technique, except in the case of smectite where particle aggregation appears to have inhibited reaction. The dissolution rates calculated for reservoir sandstones based on their modal mineralogy and surface areas agree within a factor of 2 with the measured vales. Based on the reaction rates measured here, reservoir rocks rich in feldspar, illite and/or smectite are likely to react most rapidly with acidified pore waters.