Characterizing the Noble Gas Isotopic Composition of the Barnett Shale and Strawn Group and Constraining the Source of Stray Gas in the Trinity Aquifer, North-Central Texas

This study presents the complete set of stable noble gases for Barnett Shale and Strawn Group production gas together with stray flowing gas in the Trinity Aquifer, Texas. It places new constraints on the source of this stray gas and further shows that Barnett and Strawn gas have distinct crustal and atmospheric noble gas signatures, allowing clear identification of these two sources. Like stray gas, Strawn gas is significantly more enriched in crustal ⁴He∗, ²¹Ne∗, and ⁴⁰Ar∗ than Barnett gas. The similarity of Strawn and stray gas crustal noble gas signatures suggests that the Strawn is the source of stray gas in the Trinity Aquifer. Atmospheric ²²Ne/³⁶Ar ratios of stray gas mimic also that of Strawn, further reinforcing the notion that the source of stray gas in this aquifer is the Strawn. While noble gas signatures of Strawn and stray gas are consistent with a single-stage water degassing model, a two-stage oil modified groundwater exsolution fractionation model is required to explain the light atmospheric noble gas signature of Barnett Shale production gas. These distinct Strawn and Barnett noble gas signatures are likely the reflection of distinct evolution histories with Strawn gas being possibly older than that of Barnett Shale.