Near-wellbore damage, which significantly reduces hydrocarbon production, can happen during drilling, cementing, perforation, completion, and stimulation operations. The most common technique to remove or bypass this damage is matrix acidizing. The effects of matrix acidizing injection pressure on acid penetration rate, chemical reaction rate, solubility, porosity, and permeability of Marcellus core samples were investigated in this experimental study. To achieve a successful acid treatment, acid type and concentration must be carefully selected. The results of the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and the solubility test revealed that 15 wt.% hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the optimum acid. Matrix acidizing treatments were implemented on nine core samples, taken from Marcellus (shale gas reservoir), at the reservoir temperature (66 °C), confining pressure of 10.35 MPa, and three different acid injection pressures (1.72, 3.45, and 5.17 MPa). The results showed that performing acid treatments on the samples containing continuous carbonate layers created highly permeable channels (wormholes) resulting in significant improvement, up to 3900%, in the permeability of the samples. Additionally, the results of the acid penetration rate, chemical reaction rate, solubility, porosity, and permeability revealed that increasing the acid injection pressure resulted in increases in the aforementioned properties of the samples. The results also revealed that any increase in the injection pressure above 3.45 MPa did not demonstrate any significant enhancements in the properties of the samples. The results of the XRD analysis revealed that matrix-acidizing treatments dissolved 23.2% of calcite and 0.4% of dolomite existed in the samples.

The present study aims to assess the tectonic activity in the South Setifian allochthonous complex, providing insights into the evolution of the landscape. A morphometric analysis of Jebel Youcef Mountain (JYM) in Eastern Algeria was conducted to assess neotectonic activity. Six quantitative parameters were analyzed: stream length-gradient index, asymmetric factor, hypsometric integral, valley floor width-to-valley height ratio, index of drainage basin shape, and index of mountain front sinuosity across the 16 river basins in the region. The geomorphic indices are combined into a single index of relative tectonic activity (IRTA), categorized into four classes: very high, high, moderate, and low. The results identified two major lineament sets. The NE-SW lineament set is the dominant structural feature, playing a key role in driving recent geological processes and deformation in the study area. In contrast, the E-W and NW-SE lineament sets exert a more localized influence, primarily affecting the Jurassic formations at Kef El Ahmar’s central peak in Jebel Youcef, though they exhibit relatively lower tectonic activity compared to the NE-SW lineament set. Based on the relative active tectonic classes, significant neotectonic activity is evident in the study area, as shown by distinctive basement fracturing. The findings contribute to understanding the structural processes in the study area. Furthermore, the study establishes a systematic framework for analyzing tectonic activity and landscape morphology evolution, enhancing our perception of the convergence between the North African Alpine zones and the Atlas range.

Unconventional resources, such as Eagle Ford formation, are commonly classified for their ultra-low permeability, where pore sizes are in nano-scale and pore-conductivity is low, causing several challenges in evaluating unconventional-rock properties. Several experimental parameters (e.g., diffusion time of gas, gas injection pressure, method of permeability measurement, and confining pressure cycling) must be considered when evaluating the ultra-low permeability rock's physical and dynamic elastic properties measurements, where erroneous evaluations could be avoided. Characterizing ultra-low permeability samples' physical and elastic properties helps researchers obtain more reliable information leading to successful evaluations. In this study, 24 Eagle Ford core samples' physical and dynamic elastic properties were evaluated. Utilizing longer diffusion time and higher helium injection pressure, applying complex transient method, and cycling confining pressure were considered for porosity, permeability, and velocities measurements. Computerized tomography (CT) scan, porosity, permeability, and ultrasonic wave velocities were conducted on the core samples. Additionally, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis was conducted to determine the mineralogical compositions. Porosity was measured at 2.07 MPa injection pressure for 24 h, and the permeability was measured using a complex transient method. P- and S-wave velocities were measured at two cycles of five confining pressures (up to 68.95 MPa). The XRD analysis results showed that the tested core samples had an average of 81.44% and 11.68% calcite and quartz, respectively, with a minor amount of clay minerals. The high content of calcite and quartz in shale yields higher velocities, higher Young's modulus, and lower Poisson's ratio, which enhances the brittleness that is an important parameter for well stimulation design (e.g., hydraulic fracturing). The results of porosity and permeability showed that porosity and permeability vary between 5.3–9.79% and 0.006–12 µD, respectively. The Permeability–porosity relation of samples shows a very weak correlation. P- and S-wave velocities results display a range of velocity up to 6206 m/s and 3285 m/s at 68.95 MPa confining pressure, respectively. Additionally, S-wave velocity is approximately 55% of P-wave velocity. A correlation between both velocities is established at each confining pressure, indicating a strong correlation. Results illustrated that applying two cycles of confining pressure impacts both velocities and dynamic elastic moduli. Ramping up the confining pressure increases both velocities owing to compaction of the samples and, in turn, increases dynamic Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio while decreasing bulk compressibility. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the above-mentioned parameters' values (after decreasing the confining pressure to 13.79 MPa) differ from the initial values due to the hysteresis loop, where the loop is slightly opened, indicating that the alteration is non-elastic. The findings of this study provide detailed information about the rock physical and dynamic elastic properties of one of the largest unconventional resources in the U.S.A, the Eagle Ford formation, where direct measurements may not be cost-effective or feasible.