Kalu, Ifeanyi EmmanuelJossou, EricmooreArthur, Emmanuel KwesiJa'afaru, SimonIshidi, Edith Yohanna2023-05-112023-05-112022-03Kalu, I.E., Jossou, E., Arthur, E.K. et al. 2022, 'Characterization and mechanical property measurements by instrumented indentation testing of Niger Delta oil shale cuttings', International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa, vol. 59, pp. 89-100, doi : 10.4028/p-2m9z7g.1663-3571 (print)1663-4144 (online)10.4028/p-2m9z7ghttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/90635Oil shales have unstable mechanical and chemical properties, which makes their extraction for characterization and conventional mechanical testing uneasy and complex. Most often, mechanical property measurements are usually taken from core samples that are costly to extract and test using conventional testing methods. This paper presents a focused study carried out on oil shale cuttings obtained from the sidewalls of two different wellbore depths in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Using the X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) characterization techniques, the morphology of these shales was studied. The results obtained clearly showed the composition, bonding and variations in the morphology of the studied shale samples. Furthermore, the heterogeneity associated with these shales across varied depths were revealed. An efficient and less expensive technique compared to conventional testing methods, instrumented indentation testing (IIT) was carried out to obtain essential mechanical parameters of the shale specimen. These properties are important parameters in determining the hydrocarbon storage space of shale formations, wellbore stability, and optimization of hydraulic fracturing which is necessary for efficient drilling operations.en© 2022 by Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.Oil shale cuttingsCharacterizationMechanical testingX-ray diffraction (XRD)Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)Niger DeltaInstrumented indentation testing (IIT)Engineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-07SDG-07: Affordable and clean energyEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12SDG-12: Responsible consumption and productionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionPostprint Article