Natural gamma-ray spectroscopy (NGS) as a proxy for the distribution of clay minerals and bitumen in the Cretaceous McMurray Formation, Alberta, Canada

Abstract

Detailed examination of the mineralogy of the Cretaceous McMurray Formation within a facies framework is used to assess the use of natural gamma-ray spectroscopy (NGS) and a pulsed neutron generator (PNG) tool in delineating variation in clay mineral and bitumen contents. Characterization of the mixed-layer (interstratified) clay phases in the McMurray Formation provides an improved understanding of clay interaction in bitumen processing and tailings settling behavior, important for mine planning and tailings remediation schemes. Mineral diversity in the McMurray Formation was determined on facies attributed samples using whole rock X-ray diffraction (XRD), cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements, elemental analysis (XRF), clay size fraction (

Keywords

Oil sands; McMurray formation; Kaolinite; Vermiculite; Kaolinite-expandable mixed-layer mineral; Natural gamma-ray spectroscopy

Published in

Fuel
2021, volume: 288, article number: 119513
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Hillier, Stephen

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Geochemistry

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119513

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/110411