SUBSURFACE ANALYSISCHARACTERISE / SERVICE 04
Combine elemental and mineralogical observations to investigate variations in composition, clay content and geological character.
THE QUESTION
Elemental profiles and direct mineral identification provide different kinds of evidence. Combining methods helps target detailed analyses and understand changes through the material. Screening programmes can incorporate selective reference analyses.
BULK COMPOSITION · CLAY DETAIL
Bulk X-ray diffraction identifies and quantifies mineral phases in source rocks, reservoir rocks and seals. Sample preparation and diffraction-pattern analysis are central to the result.
Programme output: quantitative mineral proportions, with the analytical method and reporting basis identified.
Preparation isolates the selected size fraction for oriented-slide XRD. Modelling the diffraction patterns supports clay identification and quantification, with further detail on mixed-layering and expandability where appropriate.
Programme output: clay-fraction results distinguished from whole-rock composition, with the preparation and interpretation basis recorded.
Combine mineralogical analysis with FTIR, XRF and petrographic observations. Sample quantities, preparation, additional clay parameters and turnaround are confirmed for the selected programme. Clay-fraction percentages and bulk-rock percentages have different denominators and must not be compared directly.
SYNTHETIC DEMONSTRATION · NO CLIENT DATA
Follow changing composition along a fictional interval. The linked tracks illustrate XRF inputs beside interpreted mineral groups; every value and pattern is invented, not a prediction from a working model.
Move the slider or point at the log. Arrow keys step through the interval.
Hiding a mineral leaves its space empty; remaining groups are not renormalised.
SELECTED POSITION
Illustrative clay-rich interval. A real interpretation would require geological review and reference measurements.
Si: 23.1 · Al: 10.6 · Ca: 4.7
Quartz: 29% · Feldspars: 11% · Clay minerals: 46% · Carbonates: 10% · Other: 4%
Synthetic values are for interface demonstration only. XRF does not uniquely determine mineralogy. Interpretation can combine quality-controlled XRF with geological context and selected XRD reference analyses. Selected elements do not total 100%; non-negative mineral groups total 100% by construction. No client data, depths, identifiers or fitted relationships are used.
| Synthetic depth (m) | Si (wt.%) | Al (wt.%) | Ca (wt.%) | Quartz (wt.%) | Feldspars (wt.%) | Clay minerals (wt.%) | Carbonates (wt.%) | Other (wt.%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000.0 | 31 | 4.7 | 1.5 | 57 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 4 |
| 1000.5 | 32.2 | 4.6 | 2 | 58 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 4 |
| 1001.0 | 32.9 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 59 | 12 | 17 | 8 | 4 |
| 1001.5 | 32.9 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 60 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 4 |
| 1002.0 | 32.2 | 4 | 1.8 | 60 | 10 | 18 | 8 | 4 |
| 1002.5 | 31 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 60 | 9 | 19 | 8 | 4 |
| 1003.0 | 29.8 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 60 | 10 | 19 | 7 | 4 |
| 1003.5 | 29.1 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 61 | 11 | 17 | 7 | 4 |
| 1004.0 | 29.1 | 3.3 | 1 | 62 | 12 | 16 | 6 | 4 |
| 1004.5 | 29.8 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 63 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 4 |
| 1005.0 | 31 | 3.5 | 2 | 63 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 4 |
| 1005.5 | 32.2 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 62 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| 1006.0 | 32.9 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 61 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 4 |
| 1006.5 | 32.9 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 59 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 4 |
| 1007.0 | 32.1 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 58 | 12 | 17 | 9 | 4 |
| 1007.5 | 30.9 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 57 | 11 | 18 | 10 | 4 |
| 1008.0 | 29.8 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 58 | 9 | 19 | 10 | 4 |
| 1008.5 | 29.1 | 4.6 | 1 | 58 | 9 | 19 | 10 | 4 |
| 1009.0 | 29.1 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 60 | 9 | 18 | 9 | 4 |
| 1009.5 | 29.9 | 4.2 | 2 | 60 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 4 |
| 1010.0 | 23.1 | 9.9 | 4.8 | 32 | 12 | 43 | 9 | 4 |
| 1010.5 | 24.2 | 9.6 | 4.7 | 31 | 14 | 43 | 8 | 4 |
| 1011.0 | 24.9 | 9.4 | 4.2 | 29 | 15 | 44 | 8 | 4 |
| 1011.5 | 24.9 | 9.3 | 3.7 | 27 | 16 | 45 | 8 | 4 |
| 1012.0 | 24.1 | 9.3 | 3.3 | 27 | 15 | 46 | 8 | 4 |
| 1012.5 | 22.9 | 9.4 | 3.2 | 29 | 13 | 46 | 8 | 4 |
| 1013.0 | 21.8 | 9.6 | 3.5 | 32 | 11 | 45 | 8 | 4 |
| 1013.5 | 21.1 | 9.9 | 4 | 34 | 9 | 45 | 8 | 4 |
| 1014.0 | 21.1 | 10.1 | 4.5 | 34 | 9 | 45 | 8 | 4 |
| 1014.5 | 21.9 | 10.4 | 4.8 | 32 | 10 | 45 | 9 | 4 |
| 1015.0 | 23.1 | 10.6 | 4.7 | 29 | 11 | 46 | 10 | 4 |
| 1015.5 | 24.3 | 10.7 | 4.2 | 26 | 13 | 47 | 10 | 4 |
| 1016.0 | 24.9 | 10.7 | 3.7 | 25 | 14 | 46 | 11 | 4 |
| 1016.5 | 24.9 | 10.6 | 3.3 | 25 | 15 | 45 | 11 | 4 |
| 1017.0 | 24.1 | 10.4 | 3.2 | 28 | 14 | 44 | 10 | 4 |
| 1017.5 | 22.9 | 10.1 | 3.5 | 31 | 13 | 42 | 10 | 4 |
| 1018.0 | 21.7 | 9.8 | 4.1 | 34 | 11 | 41 | 10 | 4 |
| 1018.5 | 21.1 | 9.6 | 4.6 | 35 | 10 | 42 | 9 | 4 |
| 1019.0 | 21.1 | 9.4 | 4.8 | 34 | 9 | 44 | 9 | 4 |
| 1019.5 | 21.9 | 9.3 | 4.7 | 32 | 10 | 46 | 8 | 4 |
| 1020.0 | 13.1 | 2.3 | 18.2 | 21 | 11 | 12 | 52 | 4 |
| 1020.5 | 14.3 | 2.5 | 17.7 | 20 | 12 | 13 | 51 | 4 |
| 1021.0 | 14.9 | 2.7 | 17.3 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 48 | 4 |
| 1021.5 | 14.9 | 2.9 | 17.2 | 22 | 14 | 14 | 46 | 4 |
| 1022.0 | 14.1 | 3.2 | 17.5 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 44 | 4 |
| 1022.5 | 12.8 | 3.5 | 18.1 | 25 | 13 | 14 | 44 | 4 |
| 1023.0 | 11.7 | 3.6 | 18.6 | 25 | 12 | 13 | 46 | 4 |
| 1023.5 | 11.1 | 3.7 | 18.8 | 23 | 11 | 13 | 49 | 4 |
| 1024.0 | 11.2 | 3.7 | 18.7 | 21 | 11 | 12 | 52 | 4 |
| 1024.5 | 12 | 3.5 | 18.2 | 20 | 10 | 11 | 55 | 4 |
| 1025.0 | 13.2 | 3.3 | 17.7 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 56 | 4 |
| 1025.5 | 14.3 | 3 | 17.3 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 54 | 4 |
| 1026.0 | 14.9 | 2.7 | 17.2 | 25 | 11 | 9 | 51 | 4 |
| 1026.5 | 14.8 | 2.5 | 17.5 | 26 | 13 | 9 | 48 | 4 |
| 1027.0 | 14 | 2.4 | 18.1 | 26 | 14 | 10 | 46 | 4 |
| 1027.5 | 12.8 | 2.3 | 18.6 | 25 | 14 | 12 | 45 | 4 |
| 1028.0 | 11.7 | 2.4 | 18.8 | 22 | 14 | 14 | 46 | 4 |
| 1028.5 | 11 | 2.5 | 18.6 | 20 | 13 | 15 | 48 | 4 |
| 1029.0 | 11.2 | 2.8 | 18.2 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 49 | 4 |
| 1029.5 | 12 | 3 | 17.6 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 50 | 4 |
| 1030.0 | 13.2 | 3.3 | 17.3 | 23 | 10 | 14 | 49 | 4 |
MINERAL MODELS & COMPLEMENTARY ANALYSIS
Use elemental profiles to define representative sampling intervals, then constrain mineral-assemblage models with selected XRD analyses. Deliver interpreted mineral profiles alongside the measured reference points.
Generate mineralogy-based synthetic log responses for comparison with wireline data. Investigate clay-volume and shale-volume interpretations, correlation and poor-quality intervals with assumptions and modelled gaps explicitly identified.
For detailed clay mineralogy, direct CoHex CEC, calibrated HSMQ screening and exchangeable cations, explore our dedicated clay-characterisation service.
Explore clay characterisation & CEC ↗CTS is your point of contact for planning the programme and bringing the results together. Where specialist laboratory or interpretation input is required, delivery responsibilities are identified in your proposal.
The scope distinguishes the measurement package and its included outputs from additional processing, interpretation and interactive reporting. Sample requirements and method limitations are confirmed before work begins.
A CONNECTED WORKFLOW
Interpretation boundary
Elemental composition does not uniquely determine mineralogy. Inferred assemblages must be distinguished from direct measurements and assessed against suitable reference data.