1. n. [Geology, Shale Gas]

The quality of variation in rock properties with location in a reservoir or formation. Shale gas reservoirs are heterogeneous formations whose mineralogy, organic content, natural fractures, and other properties vary from place to place. This heterogeneity makes petroleum system modeling, formation evaluation, and reservoir simulation critical to maximizing production from shale reservoirs.

Antonyms: homogeneity

See related terms: heterogeneous,  anisotropy,  isotropy