Source Rock and Cap Rock Controls on the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation Shale Gas Accumulation in the Sichuan Basin and its Peripheral Areas

Objective The Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is one of the priority interval for shale gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas, and commercial shale gas has been discovered from this interval in Jiaoshiba, Changning and Weiyuan shale gas fields in Sichuan Province. However, there is no significant discovery in other parts of the basin due to the different quality of black shale and the differences of tectonic evolution. Based on the progress of shale gas geological theory and exploration discoveries, as well as the theory of ＂source rock and cap rock controls on hydrocarbon accumulation＂, of the Upper Ordovician the main controlling factors Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale gas enrichment in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas were analyzed, and the source rock and cap rock controls on the shale gas were also discussed. The results can provide new insights for the next shale gas exploration in this area.

Hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of deepwater shelf shales of Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin, China

As the hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of high quality shales of Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation– Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation remain unclear, based on geological conditions and experimental modelling of shale gas formation, the shale gas generation and accumulation mechanisms as well as their coupling relationships of deep-water shelf shales in Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation of Sichuan Basin were analyzed from petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry. The high quality shales of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin are characterized by high thermal evolution, high hydrocarbon generation intensity, good material base, and good roof and floor conditions;the high quality deep-water shelf shale not only has high biogenic silicon content and organic carbon content, but also high porosity coupling. It is concluded that:(1) The shales had good preservation conditions and high retainment of crude oil in the early times, and the shale gas was mainly from cracking of crude oil.(2) The biogenic silicon(opal A) turned into crystal quartz in early times of burial diagenesis, lots of micro-size intergranular pores were produced in the same time;moreover, the biogenic silicon frame had high resistance to compaction, thus it provided the conditions not only for oil charge in the early stage, but also for formation and preservation of nanometer cellular-like pores, and was the key factor enabling the preservation of organic pores.(3) The high quality shale of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation had high brittleness, strong homogeneity, siliceous intergranular micro-pores and nanometer organic pores, which were conducive to the formation of complicated fissure network connecting the siliceous intergranular nano-pores, and thus high and stable production of shale gas.

Biostratigraphy and reservoir characteristics of the Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas,China

Through graptolite identification in profiles,graptolite zone division,contour map compilation,and analysis of mineral composition,TOC content,lamina distribution features of shale samples,the biostratigraphic and reservoir characteristics of Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral are sorted out.There are 4 graptolite zones(WF1 to WF4)in Wufeng Formation and 9(LM1 to LM9)in Longmaxi Formation,and the different graptolite zones can be calibrated by lithology and electrical property.The shale layers of these graptolite zones have two depocenters in the southwest and northeast,and differ in mineral composition,TOC,and lamina types.Among them,the graptolite zones of lower WF2 and WF4 are organic matter-poor massive hybrid shale,the upper part of WF1-WF2 and WF3 have horizontal bedding hybrid shale with organic matter,the LM1-LM4 mainly consist of organic-rich siliceous shale with horizontal bedding,and the LM5-LM9 graptolite zones consist of organic-lean hybrid shale with horizontal bedding.The mineral composition,TOC and lamina types of shale depend on the paleo-climate,paleo-water oxidation-reduction conditions,and paleo-sedimentation rate during its deposition.Deposited in oxygen-rich warm water,the lower parts of WF1 and WF2 graptolite zones have massive bedding,low TOC and silicon content.Deposited in cooler and oxygen-rich water,the WF4 has massive bedding,high calcium content and low TOC.Deposited in anoxic water with low rate,the upper part of WF2,WF3,and LM1-LM4 are composed of organic rich siliceous shale with horizontal bedding and high proportion of silt laminae.Deposited in oxygen rich water at a high rate,the graptolite zones LM5-LM9 have low contents of organic matter and siliceous content and high proportions of silt lamina.

Basic characteristics of key interfaces in Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation – Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin and its periphery,SW China

Based on anatomy of key areas and data points and analysis of typical features of shell layer in Guanyinqiao Member, basic characteristics of key interfaces, mainly bentonite layers, in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas and the relationship between these key interfaces with the deposition of organic-rich shale have been examined systematically. The Wufeng Formation-Longmaxi Formation has four types of marker beds with interface attributes, namely, the characteristic graptolite belt, Guanyinqiao Member shell layer, section with dense bentonite layers, and concretion section, which can be taken as key interfaces for stratigraphic division and correlation of the graptolite shale. The shell layer in Guanyinqiao Member is the most standard key interface in Wufeng Formation-Longmaxi Formation, and can also be regarded as an important indicator for judging the depositional scale of organic-rich shale in key areas. There are 8 dense bentonite sections of two types mainly occurring in 7 graptolite belts in these formations. They have similar interface characteristics with the shell layer in Guanyinqiao Member in thickness and natural gamma response, and belong to tectonic interfaces(i.e., event deposits). They have three kinds of distribution scales: whole region, large part of the region, and local part, and can be the third, fourth and fifth order sequence interfaces, and have a differential control effect on organic-rich shale deposits. The horizon the characteristic graptolite belt occurs first is the isochronous interface, which is not directly related to the deposition of organic-rich shale. Concretions only appear in local areas, and show poor stability in vertical and horizontal directions, and have no obvious relationship with the deposition of the organic-rich shale.

Differential Characteristics of the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Wufeng-Longmaxi Shale Reservoir and its Implications for Exploration and Development of Shale Gas in/around the Sichuan Basin

The Upper Ordovician Wufeng-Lower Silurian Longmaxi shale is widely distributed in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery,which is the key stratum for marine shale gas exploration and development(E&D)in China.Based on sedimentary environment,material basis,storage space,fracability and reservoir evolution data,the reservoir characteristics of the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale and their significance for shale gas E&D are systematically compared and analyzed in this paper.The results show that(1)the depocenter of the Wufeng(WF)-Longmaxi(LM)shale gradually migrates from east to west.The high-quality shale reservoirs in the eastern Sichuan Basin are mainly siliceous shales,which are primarily distributed in the graptolite shale interval of WF2-LM5.The high-quality reservoirs in the southern Sichuan Basin are mainly calcareous-siliceous and organic-rich argillaceous shales,which are distributed in the graptolite shale interval of WF2-LM7.(2)Deep shale gas(the burial depth>3500 m)in the Sichuan Basin has high-ultrahigh pressure and superior physical properties.The organic-rich siliceous,calcareous-siliceous and organic-rich argillaceous shales have suitable reservoir properties.The marginal area of the Sichuan Basin has a higher degree of pressure relief,which leads to the argillaceous and silty shales evolving into direct cap rocks with poor reservoir/good sealing capacity.(3)Combining shale gas exploration practices and impacts of lithofacies,depth,pressure coefficient and brittle-ductile transition on the reservoir properties,it is concluded that the favorable depth interval of the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale gas is 2200~4000 m under current technical conditions.(4)Aiming at the differential reservoir properties of the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery,several suggestions for future research directions and E&D of shale gas are formulated.

Formation, preservation and connectivity control of organic pores in shale

In view of strong heterogeneity and complex formation and evolution of organic pores,field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),Raman spectrum and fluid injection+CT/SEM imaging technology were used to study the macerals,organic pores and connectivity of organic pores in the lower Paleozoic organic-rich shale samples from Southern China.Combined with the mechanism of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion and pore forming mechanism of organic matter-based activated carbon,the relationships between organic pore development and the organic matter type,hydrocarbon generation process,diagenesis and pore pressure were explored to reveal the controlling factors of the formation,preservation and connectivity of organic pores in shale.(1)The generation of organic pores goes on through the whole hydrocarbon generation process,and is controlled by the type,maturity and decomposition of organic matter;the different hydrocarbon generation components and differential hydrocarbon-generation evolution of kerogen and solid asphalt lead to different pore development characteristics;organic pores mainly develop in solid bitumen and hydrogen-rich kerogen.(2)The preservation of organic pores is controlled by maturity and diagenesis,including the steric hindrance effect of in-situ hydrocarbon retention,rigid mineral framework formed by recrystallization,the coupling mechanism of pore-fluid pressure and shale brittleness-ductility transition.(3)The Ro of 4.0%is the maturity threshold of organic pore extinction,the shale layers with Ro larger than 3.5%have high risk for shale gas exploration,these shale layers have low gas contents,as they were in an open state before uplift,and had high hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency and strong aromatization,thus having the"congenital deficiency"of high maturity and pore densification.(4)The pores in the same organic matter particle have good connectivity;and the effective connectivity between different organic matter pores and inorganic pores and fractures depends on the abundance and distribution of organic matter,and development degree of pores and fractures in the shale;the accumulation,preservation and laminar distribution of different types of organic matter in high abundance is the prerequisite for the development and connection of organic pores,grain margin fractures and bedding fractures in reservoir.

Stratigraphic framework of theWufeng-Longmaxi shale in and around the Sichuan Basin,China:Implications for targeting shale gas

Stratigraphic division and correlation are crucial for the identification of sweet spots and drilling design of shale gas.In this study,a stratigraphic division and correlation was carried out for the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations in southern China from the prospective of lithostratigraphy,sea level changes,and biostratigraphy using data from seismic investigation,wells,and outcrops.The Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations were respectively divided into four members,Wu 1 and Wu2 for the former and Long 1 and Long 2 for the latter.Of the members,Long 1 was subdivided and its first subdivision(Long 11)was further divided into 4 layers(Long 1^(1)_(1),Long 1^(2)_(1),Long 1^(3)_(1),and Long 1^(4)_(1)).Three eustatic cycles were recognized in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations.Cycle I corresponds to the Wufeng Formation with the maximum flooding surface at the top ofWu 1.Cycle II corresponds to Long 1,with the maximum flooding surface at the top of Long 1^(3)_(1).CycleⅢⅢcorresponds to Long 2.Furthermore,4 graptolite biozones(WF1 to WF4)were identified in the Wufeng Formation and 9 graptolite biozones(LM1 to LM9)in the Longmaxi Formation.WF1-2 and WF3-4 correspond to Wu 1 and Wu 2,respectively;and LM1,LM2-4,LM5,LM6,and LM7-9 correspond to Long 1^(1)_(1),Long 1^(2)_(1),Long 1^(3)_(1),Long 1^(4)_(1),and Long 12 and Long 2,respectively.Highquality shales mainly occur in the Wufeng Formation and Long 11.The major intervals that should be investigated with regards to shale gas production include LM1eLM5(10m thick)in the Weiyuan Block and WF1eLM5(20e35m thick)in the Changning Block.Long 1^(1)_(1)is believed to be an optimal target for drilling due to its high TOC content,siliceous content,porosity,microfracture density,and horizontal/vertical permeability ratio.

Graptolite-Derived Organic Matter and Pore Characteristics in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Black Shale of the Sichuan Basin and its Periphery

A key target of shale gas exploration and production in China is the organic-rich black shale of the Wufeng Formation-Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery.The set of black shale contains abundant graptolites,which are mainly preserved as flattened rhabdosomes with carbonized periderms,is an important organic component of the shale.However,few previous studies had focused on the organic matter(OM)which is derived from graptolite and its pore structure.In particular,the contributions of graptolites to gas generation,storage,and flow have not yet been examined.In this study,focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope(FIB-SEM)was used to investigate the characteristics of the graptolite-derived OM and the micro-nanopores of graptolite periderms.The results suggested that the proportion of OM in the graptolite was between 19.7%and 30.2%,and between 8.9%and 14.4%in the surrounding rock.The total organic carbon(TOC)content of the graptolite was found to be higher than that of the surrounding rock,which indicated that the graptolite played a significant role in the dispersed organic matter.Four types of pores were developed in the graptolite periderm,including organic gas pores,pyrite moulage pores,authigenic quartz moldic pores,and microfractures.These well-developed micro-nano pores and fractures had formed an interconnected system within the graptolites which provided storage spaces for shale gas.The stacked layers and large accumulation of graptolites resulted in lamellation fractures openning easily,and provided effective pathways for the gas flow.A few nanoscale gas pores were observed in the graptolite-derived OM,with surface porosity lie in 1.5%–2.4%,and pore diameters of 5–20 nm.The sapropel detritus was determined to be rich in nanometer-sized pores with surface porosity of 3.1%–6.2%,and pore diameters of 20–80 nm.Due to the small amount of hydrocarbon generation of the graptolite,supporting the overlying pressure was difficult,which caused the pores to become compacted or collapsed.

Enlightenment of calcite veins in deep Ordovician Wufeng-Silurian Longmaxi shales fractures to migration and enrichment of shale gas in southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

The relationship between fracture calcite veins and shale gas enrichment in the deep Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation (Wufeng-Longmaxi) shales in southern Sichuan Basin was investigated through core and thin section observations, cathodoluminescence analysis, isotopic geochemistry analysis, fluid inclusion testing, and basin simulation. Tectonic fracture calcite veins mainly in the undulating part of the structure and non-tectonic fracture calcite veins are mainly formed in the gentle part of the structure. The latter, mainly induced by hydrocarbon generation, occurred at the stage of peak oil and gas generation, while the former turned up with the formation of Luzhou paleouplift during the Indosinian. Under the influence of hydrocarbon generation pressurization process, fractures were opened and closed frequently, and oil and gas episodic activities are recorded by veins. The formation pressure coefficient at the maximum paleodepth exceeds 2.0. The formation uplift stage after the Late Yanshanian is the key period for shale gas migration. Shale gas migrates along the bedding to the high part of the structure. The greater the structural fluctuation is, the more intense the shale gas migration activity is, and the loss is more. The gentler the formation is, the weaker the shale gas migration activity is, and the loss is less. The shale gas enrichment in the core of gentle anticlines and gentle synclines is relatively higher.

Microfacies types and distribution of epicontinental shale: A case study of the Wufeng–Longmaxi shale in southern Sichuan Basin, China

For black shales,laminae and bedding are hard to identify,grain size is difficult to measure,and trace fossils do not exist.Taking the Ordovician Wufeng–Silurian Longmaxi shale in southern Sichuan Basin,China,as an example,the types,characteristics and models of microfacies in epicontinental shale are analyzed by means of full-scale observation of large thin sections,argon-ion polishing field emission-scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),and kerogen microscopy.The epicontinental sea develops delta,tidal flat and shelf facies,with black shale found in microfacies such as the underwater distributary channel and interdistributary bay under delta front facies,the calcareous and clayey flats under intertidal flat facies,the calcareous and clayey shelfs under shallow shelf facies,the deep slope,deep plain and deep depression under deep shelf facies,and the overflow under gravity flow facies.Basinward,silty lamina decreases and clayey lamina increases,the grain size changes from coarse silt to fine mud,the silica content increases from about 20%to above 55%,the carbonate and clay minerals content decreases from above 40%to around 10%,and the kerogen type changes from type II2 to type II1 and type I.Provenance and topography dominate the types and distribution of shale microfacies.The underwater distributary channel,interdistributary bay,clayey flat,clayey shelf,and overflow microfacies are developed in areas with sufficient sediment supply.The calcareous flat and calcareous shelf are developed in areas with insufficient sediment supply.The deep shelf shale area is divided into deep slope,deep plain,and deep depression microfacies as a result of three breaks.The formation of epicontinental shale with different microfacies is closely related to the tectonic setting,paleoclimate,and sea level rise.The relatively active tectonic setting increases the supply of terrigenous clasts,forming muddy water fine-grained sediment.The warm and humid paleoclimate is conducive to the enrichment of organic matter.The rapid sea level rise is helpful to the widespread black shale.

K-bentonite beds and high-resolution integrated strati- graphy of the uppermost Ordovician Wufeng and the lowest Silurian Longmaxi formations in South China

More than 20 K-bentonite beds were discovered from the Wufeng Formation and the lowest Longmaxi Formation in two sections, both adjacent to the Ordovician-Silurian (O-S) bound-ary and located in Tongzi, Guizhou Province and Yichang, Hubei Province, some 500 km apart from each other in South China. This indicates that many volcanic eruptions occurred near the southeast margin of the Yangtze Platform between the latest Ordovician and the earliest Silurian. Mainly through biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic studies, it was found that almost all these far-apart K-bentonite beds may be correlated with each other. This is the first time that a succession of volcanic ash deposits with high potential of correlation was discovered within a strata interval on the main platforms of China. Therefore, these K-bentonite beds may afford ex-cellent event-marker beds helpful to high-resolution research in integrated stratigraphy as well as other lines of research on the O-S boundary in South China.

Formation Mechanism and Numerical Model of Quartz in Fine-Grained Organic-Rich Shales: A Case Study of Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations in Western Hubei Province, South China

The difference in quartz types in shales not only affects the porosity and permeability of the rocks,but also reflects the difference in the sedimentary environments.We established the formation mechanism and numerical model of quartz in shales of Wufeng and Longmaxi formations in the Wangjiawan Section,South China,based on thin-section studies using SEM(scanning electron microscope),SEM-CL(cathodoluminescence),XRD(X-ray diffraction)and geochemical analyses.There are two types of quartz in the shales:detrital quartz and authigenic quartz.Detrital quartz is mostly silt-size,typically ranging from 10 to 60μm in size and subangular to angular monocrystal in shape,and brighter than authigenic quartz by CL intensity;authigenic quartz is present in two phases in shape:grain overgrowths and crystallite grains.Overgrowth surfaces are subhedral.Crystallite grains are typically less than 10μm in size,euhedral or subhedral monocrystal in shape.Authigenic quartz can be subdivided into biogenic quartz and clay mineral transformed quartz according to the source of silicon.In the numerical model,the content of detrital quartz is relatively consistent(20%);the content of biogenic quartz ranges from 40%to 70%,with a sharp fall(0–30%)in the Guanyinqiao mudstone.During the Katian,a lower anoxic and dense water column make the dissolution of biogenic silica well preserved.Biogenic quartz is the major contributor to the sediment.During the early Hirnantian interval,due to the drop of sea level and the oxygenation of seafloor,the sediment is mainly composed of clay transformed quartz and detrital quartz.During the latest Hirnatian and Rhuddanian,rapid sea level rise and anoxic ocean enhance the preservation of the biogenic silica,thereby biogenic quartz re-emerges as the major contributors to the sediment.Authigenic crystallite grains and grain overgrowths have filled in primary pore space and have decreased the interparticle porosity,however,as a rigid framework,they can suppress compaction and maintain the internal pore structure.The formation of authigenic quartz results in the increase of total quartz,which fortifies the brittleness of rocks and is beneficial to the development of shale gas.

Depositional environment of shale in Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations, Sichuan Basin

Formation of organic-rich shale was controlled by depositional processes and environment condition.According to petrology,mineralogy,fossil composition and sedimentary structure,seven lithofacies of shale were identified in the Wufeng Formation to Longmaxi Formation,e.g.,siliceous shale,silty shale,argillaceous shale,calcareous shale,shell-bearing argillaceous limestone/calcareous mudstone,siltstonefine sandstone and bentonite.For shale in the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations,the depositional mode was not only the suspension deposition under the low-energy hydrodynamic condition,but also the biogenic deposition,the storm deposition and the bottom current deposition indicated by large amount of siliceous biological fossils,biological detritus with size graded structure,silt laminations,lenticular bedding,ripple cross-bedding and other sedimentary structures.Trace element analysis suggested that the siliceous shale in theWufeng Formation and the lower part of Longmaxi Formation was developed in the oxygen-dysoxic/anoxic depositional environment,which was rich in organic matters;then due to influence of the sea level gradually decline and bottom current,the silty and argillaceous shales were formed,and the oxygen-dysoxic/anoxic depositional environment was destroyed,gradually leading to the worse preservation condition of organic matter.

Dispositional characteristics of Ordovician Wufeng Formation and Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin and its adjacent areas

According to data of gas wells and typical sections of Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin,shale of various graptolite zones were analyzed to determine depositional environment,lithology and thickness characteristics of the graptolite shale interval of WF2-WF3 in the lower part of Wufeng Formation,the graptolite shale interval of WF4 in Guanyinqiao Member of Wufeng Formation and the graptolite shale interval of LM1-LM4 in the bottom of Longmaxi Formation,and characteristics of shale horizontal distribution were also investigated.During the depositional period of the graptolite shale interval of WF2-WF3,the study area was less affected by the Guangxi movement,the depositional environment was the deep water of open sea,where black shale was mainly deposited;the sedimentation center was developed in northeast Guizhou-northeast Sichuan and south Sichuan,the maximum thickness was from 4 to 6 m in the sedimentation center.During the depositional period of the graptolite shale interval of WF4,the depositional environment in the study area changed greatly due to global sea level fall and enhanced Guangxi movement;the central Sichuan paleouplift,the central Guizhou paleouplift and the Jiangnan-Xuefeng palaeouplift were further expanded,and the area of the sedimentary basin decreased;the depositional environment was mainly carbonate bioclastic shoal of shallow sea,and partially deep sea which only was distributed in the Shizhu-Fuling-Wuxi area in east and northeast Sichuan and the Gongxian-Yongchuan area in south Sichuan;sediments of shallow water were dominated by limestone and argillaceous limestone with abundant Hirnantia,sediments of deep water were dominated by calcareous mudstone and shale with Hirnantia.During the depositional period of the graptolite shale interval of LM1-LM4,due to rise of global sea level and Guangxi movement,the sedimentary area was larger than that in the depositional period of Guanyinqiao Member,and the sedimentary environment mainly was stagnant deepwater;thickness of black shale in the graptolite shale interval of LM1-LM4 was large,and the maximum thickness was over 20 m.Furthermore,control of the central Sichuan paleouplift,the central Guizhou paleouplift and the Jiangnan-Xuefeng paleouplift on black shale was discussed,and control of the Zhiliujing underwater highland/uplift,Huayingshan highland and Dingshan highland as well as western Hubei-Hunan underwater highland/uplift on shale deposition and preservation was also investigated.

Lithofacies distribution characteristics and its controlling factors of shale in Wufeng Formation-Member 1 of Longmaxi Formation in the Jiaoshiba area

It is essential to investigate shale lithofacies distribution and controlling factor of the shale for geological evaluation of shale gas exploration and development.Through comprehensive analysis of cores,thin sections,cathode luminescence,whole-rock X-ray diffraction,element capture spectroscopy,major/trace element and other data,three major types and eight sub-type shale lithofacies in the shale of Wufeng Formation-Member 1 of Longmaxi Formation in Jiaoshiba area are identified by the three-end-member method and shale lithological classification nomenclature,and the spatiotemporal distribution law and main development controlling factors of shale lithofacies are well studied.In the Jiaoshiba area,vertically,the marine shale develops siliceous shale,mixed shale and argillaceous shale from bottom to top.Besides,lateral distribution of the shale is different from north to south;the shale lithofacies in the north area changes rapidly,the mixed shale in the north area is much thicker than that in the south area,while the siliceous shale in the south area is relatively thicker.Difference in the shale lithofacies is controlled by special sedimentary geologic events;development of the siliceous shale is controlled by the Ordovician-Silurian global volcanic event to some extent,while the mixed shale is significantly influenced by effect of bottom current,and the argillaceous shale is mainly affected by supply of terrestrial clastic material.

Characteristics of shale gas reservoirs in Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation in Well WX2,northeast Chongqing

To further understand shale reservoir characteristics of Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation in the Wuxi area,northeast Chongqing,based on drilling data of Well WX2,and taking the graptolite biostratigraphy as the standard marker of stratigraphic division and comparison,the geochemistry,petrology,reservoir space and properties of organic-rich black shale were well investigated,and its gasbearing capacity and controlling factors were also analyzed.The result shows that in the Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation of Well WX2,the organic-rich shale is 89.8 m thick and is characterized by good kerogen type,high organic abundance,moderate maturity and favorable hydrocarbongeneration condition,and the graptolite sequence is developed completely and continuously;the organic abundance is influenced by depositional rate,and the slow depositional rate is favorable for accumulation of organic matter in the black graptolite shale;from top to bottom,content of siliceous minerals increases and content of clay minerals decrease,therefore the brittleness increases;the organicrich siliceous shale and clay siliceous shale are favorable lithofacies for development of shale reservoirs;the nanopore is dominated by the parallel-plate pore with four open sides and has good connectivity;the pore size distribution curve has the multimodal characteristic,and the pore diameter mainly is in the range of 0.42e0.62 nm and the range of 3e5 nm;organic pores and interlayer pores of clay minerals make the greatest contribution to the total pore volume,while pores of brittle minerals have the least contribution;from top to bottom,organic pores gradually increase while interlayer pores of clay minerals gradually decrease;the on-site core gas content exceeds 8 m3/t,and the gas-bearing capacity is jointly controlled by hydrocarbon generation,reservoir and preservation conditions;and the WF2-LM6 biozone of the Katian to the early Aeronian is the high-quality shale reservoir,where the LM1 biozone of the Hirnantian was the best“sweet spot”which is the target of horizontal well drilling.

泸州地区五峰组——龙马溪组页岩气成藏特征

为寻找四川盆地泸州地区五峰组—龙马溪组页岩气有利区,在开展流体包裹体检测、页岩微观孔隙观测、气泡变孔模拟等研究基础上,查明了泸州地区构造埋藏过程和生烃热演化过程,总结了泸州地区页岩气成藏特征和成藏规律。研究结果表明:泸州地区五峰组—龙马溪组富有机质页岩厚度大,在二叠纪—早三叠世生油,经历了中三叠世和燕山运动期—喜马拉雅运动期2次构造抬升,中三叠世抬升幅度有限,未导致大规模烃散失,燕山运动期—喜马拉雅运动期构造抬升晚于川东南且幅度小,利于页岩气保存;泸州地区五峰组—龙马溪组页岩有机孔发育,是由于中三叠世隆升时间短,强度小,未发生大规模排烃,大量液态烃保留在储集层中,有利于后期有机孔的大量形成,同时在晚三叠世—中白垩世,地层深埋发生液态烃裂解产气,地层广泛超压,有利于有机孔的后期保存;泸州地区三叠纪隆升虽然时间短、强度小,但是从模拟实验结果来看,可以导致原油稠化和气孔形成,对页岩气富集成藏有利。因此,发生在印支运动期的泸州地区的隆升造成原油稠化,有利于页岩气富集成藏;泸州地区地层抬升时间晚,页岩气散失时间短,低角度层理缝发育,而纵向裂缝少,均有利于形成超压页岩气富集区。提出的泸州地区五峰组—龙马溪组页岩富集成藏规律,对于指导其他同类型油气勘探具有借鉴意义。

四川盆地涪陵南地区奥陶系五峰组—志留系龙马溪组页岩古构造应力场及裂缝特征

通过岩石力学实验、声发射实验和地震资料综合解释,利用有限元数值模拟方法,对涪陵南地区奥陶系五峰组—志留系龙马溪组海相页岩古构造应力场进行了数值模拟,并结合岩心实测结果,预测了构造裂缝的发育特征。研究结果表明:①涪陵南地区裂缝主要形成期(燕山晚期)构造应力和裂缝的分布受断层、岩石力学性质和构造应力的影响,断层广泛发育的区域容易出现应力集中,并引起较大的应力梯度。②利用库伦-莫尔破裂准则预测了研究区构造裂缝的发育,同时引入剪切破裂指数R定量表征裂缝发育的强度,其值越大反映裂缝发育程度越高。窄陡断背斜和断层附近裂缝发育,以高角度剪切裂缝为主,而在宽缓向斜部位裂缝发育程度最弱,研究区五峰组—龙马溪组底部硅质页岩应力集中,裂缝最发育。③涪陵南地区海相页岩气保存有利区主要为3个区带:远离大断层的凤来向斜内部,主要构造变形期未遭受大的破坏作用,其位于应力低值区,具有良好的保存条件,为Ⅰ类有利区;白马向斜内部小断层发育,应力值位于中等水平,保存条件中等,为Ⅱ类较有利区;石门—金坪断背斜遭受到强烈改造作用,容易产生大规模剪切裂缝,破坏了保存条件,为Ⅲ类不利区。

不同构造单元页岩孔隙结构差异及其油气地质意义——以四川盆地泸州地区深层页岩为例

不同构造单元页岩储层品质、含气性差异明显,构造改造作用对页岩气勘探开发具有控制作用,但关于深层页岩气的构造控制作用机理研究较少,相关认识尚不明确,制约了深层页岩气的勘探开发。为此,通过“岩心—薄片—扫描电镜”多尺度观察、全岩矿物X射线衍射分析、核磁共振等技术手段,对比分析了四川盆地南部泸州地区不同构造单元上奥陶统五峰组—下志留统龙马溪组深层页岩孔隙结构和储层特征的差异,探讨了不同构造单元页岩孔隙结构差异与储层品质的耦合关系,明确了页岩气产量差异的内在地质原因,落实了构造改造作用下的页岩气勘探开发有利区。研究结果表明:①向斜区页岩主要以有机质孔隙、非构造裂缝为主,孔径大;背斜区页岩孔隙结构被强烈改造,以矿物粒间孔、构造裂缝为主,矿物粒间孔狭长且定向排列,孔径小。②向斜区构造相对稳定,有机质孔隙、矿物粒间孔以及成岩裂缝保存较好,宏孔占比高,储集性能好,含气量和产量高;背斜区页岩储层发育大量构造裂缝与断层,孔隙和成岩裂缝被压实,孔径减小,储集性能变差,含气量和产量低。③距盆缘剥蚀区越远,构造越稳定的单元,保存条件越好,该类构造单元页岩储层越发育,含气量和产量越高,页岩气勘探开发潜力越大。结论认为,构造运动对于压力系统的影响是形成不同构造单元深层页岩孔隙结构特征差异的重要因素,并控制了页岩储层的含气性与产量;向斜区深层保存条件好,远离剥蚀区,为勘探开发的最有利区,该认识可为深层页岩气勘探开发提供技术支撑。

四川盆地东缘白马地区常压页岩气开发地质评价

涪陵气田是我国第一个实现商业开发的页岩气田,近几年年产气量稳定在70亿m^(3)以上,开发效果良好。随着开发需求不断增大,开发对象由焦石坝等高压页岩气藏逐步转向了白马常压页岩气藏。2021年白马地区提交探明储量1048.83亿m^(3),地质资源基础得到夯实,而开发地质评价与目标优选是实现储量有效动用第一环。以分析化验、测井解释、地震预测、压裂试气资料为基础,开展白马地区常压页岩气开发有利层段与有利目标评价研究。研究结果表明,白马地区奥陶系五峰组-志留系龙马溪组发育深水陆棚相富有机质页岩,其中深水陆棚硅质页岩是开发最有利层段。明确了地层压力系数、孔隙度、天然裂缝、应力性质是常压页岩气开发地质评价的关键参数。以此为基础,建立了白马常压页岩气藏开发选区地质参数体系,优选白马向斜南部为开发建产第一目标,实现了规模效益建产,对常压页岩气开发具有重要借鉴意义。