Full-Sized Pore Structure and Fractal Characteristics of Marine-Continental Transitional Shale: A Case Study in Qinshui Basin, North China

Based on 10 shale samples collected from 4 wells in Qinshui Basin,we investigate the full-sized pore structure and fractal characteristics of Marine-Continental transitional shale by performing organic geochemistry,mineralogical composition,Nitrogen gas adsorption(N2 adsorption)and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR)measurements and fractal analysis.Results show that the TOC content of the shale samples is relatively high,with an average value of 2.44wt%,and the thermal evolution is during the mature-over mature stage.The NMR T2 spectrum can be used to characterize the fullsized pore structure characteristics of shale.By combining N2 adsorption pore structure parameters and NMR T2 spectrums,the surface relaxivity of samples are calculated to be between 1.7877 um/s and 5.2272 um/s.On this basis,the T2 spectrums are converted to full-sized pore volume and surface area distribution curves.The statistics show that the pore volume is mainly provided by mesopore,followed by micropore,and the average percentages are 65.04%and 30.83%respectively;the surface area is mainly provided by micropore,followed by mesopore,and the average percentages are 60.8004%and 39.137%respectively;macropore contributes little to pore volume and surface area.The pore structure characteristics of shale have no relationship with TOC,but strong relationships with clay minerals content.NMR fractal dimensions Dmicro and Dmeso have strong positive relationships with the N2 adsorption fractal dimensions D1 and D2 respectively,indicating that Dmicro can be used to characterize the fractal characteristics of pore surface,and Dmeso can be used to characterize the fractal characteristics of pore structure.The shale surface relaxivity is controlled by multiple factors.The increasing of clay mineral content,pore surface area,pore surface fractal dimension and the decreasing of average pore size,will all lead to the decreasing of shale surface relaxivity.

Geochemical and Geological Characterization of Marine-Continental Transitional Shale: A Case Study in the Ordos Basin, NW China

The organic-rich shale of the Shanxi and Taiyuan Formation of the Lower Permian deposited in a marinecontinental transitional environment are well developed in the Ordos Basin,NW China,which is considered to contain a large amount of shale hydrocarbon resources.This study takes the Lower Permian Shanxi and Taiyuan shale collected from well SL~# in the Ordos Basin,NW China as an example to characterize the transitional shale reservoir.Based on organic geochemistry data,X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis,field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM)observations,the desorbed gas contents of this transitional shale were systematically studied and the shale gas potential was investigated.The results indicate that the Lower Permian Shanxi and Taiyuan shale has a relatively high total organic carbon(TOC)(average TOC of 4.9%)and contains type III kerogen with a high mature to over mature status.XRD analyses show that an important characteristic of the shale is that clay and brittle minerals of detrital origin comprise the major mineral composition of the marine-continental transitional shale samples,while the percentages of carbonate minerals,pyrite and siderite are relatively small.FE-SEM observations reveal that the mineral matrix pores are the most abundant in the Lower Permian shale samples,while organic matter(OM)pores are rarely developed.Experimental analysis suggests that the mineral compositions mainly govern the macropore development in the marine-continental transitional shale,and mineral matrix pores and microfractures are considered to provide space for gas storage and migration.In addition,the desorption experiments demonstrated that the marine-continental transitional shale in the Ordos Basin has a significantly potential for shale gas exploration,ranging from 0.53 to 2.86 m^3/t with an average value of 1.25m^3/t,which is in close proximity to those of terrestrial shale(1.29 m^3/t)and marine shale(1.28 m^3/t).In summary,these results demonstrated that the Lower Permian marine-continental transitional shale in the Ordos Basin has a significantly potential for shale gas exploration.

Lithofacies and pore features of marine-continental transitional shale and gas enrichment conditions of favorable lithofacies:A case study of Permian Longtan Formation in the Lintanchang area,southeast of Sichuan Basin,SW China

In this work,the Permian Longtan marine-continental transitional shale in the southeast of Sichuan Basin was taken as study object.Through petrology and geochemical analysis,lithofacies types of the marine-continental transitional shale were classified,key controlling factors of physical properties and gas content of the different shale lithofacies were analyzed.The research results show that the Longtan Formation marine-continental transitional shale in the study area has four types of lithofacies,namely,organic-lean calcareous shale,organic-lean mixed shale,organic-lean argillaceous shale,and organic-rich argillaceous shale,among which the organic-rich argillaceous shale is the most favorable lithofacies of the study area.The pore types of different lithofacies vary significantly and the clay mineral-related pore is the dominant type of the pore system in the study area.The main controlling factor of the physical properties is clay mineral content,and the most important factor affecting gas content is TOC content.Compared with marine shale,the marine-continental transitional shale has low average values,wide distribution range,and strong heterogeneity in TOC content,porosity,and pore structure parameters,but still contains some favorable layers with high physical properties and gas contents.The organic-rich clay shale deposited in tidal flat-lagoon system is most likely to form shale gas sweet spots,so it should be paid more attention in shale gas exploration.

Geological conditions and reservoir characteristics of various shales in major shalehosted regions of China

China is home to shales of three facies:Marine shale,continental shale,and marine-continental transitional shale.Different types of shale gas are associated with significantly different formation conditions and major controlling factors.This study compared the geological characteristics of various shales and analyzed the influences of different parameters on the formation and accumulation of shale gas.In general,shales in China’s several regions exhibit high total organic carbon(TOC)contents,which lays a sound material basis for shale gas generation.Marine strata generally show high degrees of thermal evolution.In contrast,continental shales manifest low degrees of thermal evolution,necessitating focusing on areas with relatively high degrees of thermal evolution in the process of shale gas surveys for these shales.The shales of the Wufeng and Silurian formations constitute the most favorable shale gas reservoirs since they exhibit the highest porosity among the three types of shales.These shales are followed by those in the Niutitang and Longtan formations.In contrast,the shales of the Doushantuo,Yanchang,and Qingshankou formations manifest low porosities.Furthermore,the shales of the Wufeng and Longmaxi formations exhibit high brittle mineral contents.Despite a low siliceous mineral content,the shales of the Doushantuo Formation feature a high carbonate mineral content,which can increase the shales’brittleness to some extent.For marine-continental transitional shales,where thin interbeds of tight sandstone with unequal thicknesses are generally found,it is recommended that fracturing combined with drainage of multiple sets of lithologic strata should be employed to enhance their shale gas production.

New understanding and exploration direction of hydrocarbon accumulation in Termit Basin, Niger

Based on the seismic and drilling data, casting thin sections, geochemical analysis of oil and rock samples, and hydrocarbon generation history simulation, the hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics and exploration direction of Termit superimposed marine–continental rift basin are discussed. The Termit basin is superimposed with two-phase rifts(Early Cretaceous and Paleogene). The subsidence curves from two wells on the Trakes slope in the east of the basin show high subsidence rate in the Late Cretaceous, which is believed to be high deposition rate influenced by transgression. However, a weak rift may also be developed. The depositional sequences in the Termit basin were controlled by the Late Cretaceous marine transgression cycle and the Paleogene lacustrine transgression cycle, giving rise to two types of superimposed marine–continental “source-sink” deposits. The marine and continental mixed source rocks developed universally in the whole basinduring the marine transgression period, and are overlaid by the Paleogene Sokor 1 reservoir rocks and Sokor 2 caprocks developed during the lacustrine transgression period, forming the unique superimposed marine–continental basin in WCARS. The early low geothermal gradient in the Termit basin resulted in the late hydrocarbon generated by the source rock of Upper Cretaceous Yogou in Paleogene. Mature source rock of Upper Cretaceous Donga developed in the Trakes slope, so that the double-source-supply hydrocarbon and accumulation models are proposed for the Trakes slope in which formed the oil fields. Due to virtue of the newly proposed hydrocarbon accumulation model and the exploration activities in recent years in the Termit superimposed marine–continental rift basin, an additional effective exploration area of about 2500 km2has been confirmed in the east of the basin. It is believed that potential domains such as Sokor 1, Donga and Upper Cretaceous lithologic traps in the southeast of the basin are key expected targets for exploration and frontier evaluation in future.

Geological characterization and exploration potential of shale gas in the Carboniferous Jiusi Formation,northern Guizhou and Yunnan provinces,SW China

Dark mudstones and shales of the Carboniferous Jiusi Formation are widely developed in northern Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, SW China. However, the distribution, reservoir characterization, and exploration potential of organic-rich shales in this area are yet to be quantified, thus limiting the prospect of shale gas in this area. This study investigates the basic geological conditions of Jiusi shale gas, using core data, well-logs, and some other test data, obtaining the following results. The organic-rich shales are mainly composed of deltaic-to-shallow-shelf deposits, with thickness ranging from 0 to 450 m, and above 350 m around the subsidence center. The organic matter is mainly type Ⅱ kerogen with TOC content of mostly 1%–2%, indicating a moderate maturity. The argillaceous shale reservoirs are indicative of strong heterogeneity, high clay minerals content, low porosity, low permeability, high specific surface area, and relatively developed secondary porosity. The gas-log anomaly intervals obtained from the survey wells have a cumulative thickness that is apparently greater than 200 m, and a few shale intervals showing high desorbed and adsorbed gas contents. Due to complex structures in the study area, conditions responsible for shale gas occurrence and trapping are generally moderate. However, areas having wide and gentle folds with moderate depth of burial reveals relatively favorable conditions of hydrocarbon traps. In contrast with typical marine-continental transitional shales, the Jiusi shale have better geological conditions for shale gas preservation. The analysis of the geological framework and hydrocarbon potential of Carboniferous Jiusi Formation provide more insight for the exploration of Carboniferous shale gas in southern China.

Favorable lithofacies types and genesis of marine- continental transitional black shale: A case study of Permian Shanxi Formation in the eastern margin of Ordos Basin, NW China

Based on core description,thin section identification,X-ray diffraction analysis,scanning electron microscopy,low-temperature gas adsorption and high-pressure mercury intrusion porosimetry,the shale lithofacies of Shan23 sub-member of Permian Shanxi Formation in the east margin of Ordos Basin was systematically analyzed in this study.The Shan23 sub-member has six lithofacies,namely,low TOC clay shale(C-L),low TOC siliceous shale(S-L),medium TOC siliceous shale(S-M),medium TOC hybrid shale(M-M),high TOC siliceous shale(S-H),and high TOC clay shale(C-H).Among them,S-H is the best lithofacies,S-M and M-M are the second best.The C-L and C-H lithofacies,mainly found in the upper part of Shan23 sub-member,generally developed in tide-dominated delta facies;the S-L,S-M,S-H and M-M shales occurring in the lower part of Shan23 sub-member developed in tide-dominated estuarine bay facies.The S-H,S-M and M-M shales have good pore struc-ture and largely organic matter pores and mineral interparticle pores,including interlayer pore in clay minerals,pyrite inter-crystalline pore,and mineral dissolution pore.C-L and S-L shales have mainly mineral interparticle pores and clay mineral in-terlayer pores,and a small amount of organic matter pores,showing poorer pore structure.The C-H shale has organic mi-cro-pores and a small number of interlayer fissures of clay minerals,showing good micro-pore structure,and poor meso-pore and macro-pore structure.The formation of favorable lithofacies is jointly controlled by depositional environment and diagen-esis.Shallow bay-lagoon depositional environment is conducive to the formation of type II2 kerogen which can produce a large number of organic cellular pores.Besides,the rich biogenic silica is conducive to the preservation of primary pores and en-hances the fracability of the shale reservoir.

Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the mixed clastic-carbonate deposits in the Late Paleozoic icehouse period:A case study from the northern Qaidam Basin

The widely-developed,mixed clastic-carbonate succession in the northern Qaidam Basin records the paleo-environment changes under the glacial activity during the Late Paleozoic icehouse period in the context of regional tectonic stability,however,the depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy characteristics of the mixed deposits is rarely reported and still not clear.Combined the latest drilling wells data,we analyzed the sedimentary and stratigraphic characterization of the mixed strata via detailed field outcrops and core observations and thin section microscopic observations and recognized three depositional systems,including progradational coastal system,incised valley system,and carbonate-dominated marine shelf system,and identified four third-order sequences,SQ1,SQ2,SQ3 and SQ4,consisting of LST,TST,and HST.The depositional environment is overall belonged to marine-continental transition context and shifted from marine to continental environment frequently,showing an evolutionary pattern from marine towards terrestrial-marine transition and then back into the marine environment again in the long-term,which was controlled by the regional tectonic subsidence and the high-frequency and large-amplitude sea-level changes due to the Late Paleozoic glacial activity.The result is of significance in understanding the evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the sedimentation-climate response.

A Well Productivity Model for Multi-Layered Marine and Continental Transitional Reservoirs with Complex Fracture Networks

Using the typical characteristics of multi-layered marine and continental transitional gas reservoirs as a basis,a model is developed to predict the related well production rate.This model relies on the fractal theory of tortuous capillary bundles and can take into account multiple gas flow mechanisms at the micrometer and nanometer scales,as well as the flow characteristics in different types of thin layers(tight sandstone gas,shale gas,and coalbed gas).Moreover,a source-sink function concept and a pressure drop superposition principle are utilized to introduce a coupled flow model in the reservoir.A semi-analytical solution for the production rate is obtained using a matrix iteration method.A specific well is selected for fitting dynamic production data,and the calculation results show that the tight sandstone has the highest gas production per unit thickness compared with the other types of reservoirs.Moreover,desorption and diffusion of coalbed gas and shale gas can significantly contribute to gas production,and the daily production of these two gases decreases rapidly with decreasing reservoir pressure.Interestingly,the gas production from fractures exhibits an approximately U-shaped distribution,indicating the need to optimize the spacing between clusters during hydraulic fracturing to reduce the area of overlapping fracture control.The coal matrix water saturation significantly affects the coalbed gas production,with higher water saturation leading to lower production.

Quantitative evaluation of organic richness from correlation of well logs and geochemical data: a case study of the Lower Permian Taiyuan shales in the southern North China Basin

Marine-continental transitional shale is a potential energy component in China and is expected to be a realistic field in terms of increasing reserves and enhancing the natural gas production.However,the complex lithology,constantly changing depositional environment and lithofacies make the quantitative determination of the total organic carbon(TOC)suitable for marine shales not necessarily applicable to transitional shales.Thus,the identification of marine-continental transitional organic-rich shales and the mechanism of organic matter enrichment need to be further studied.As a typical representative of transitional shale,samples from Well MY-1 in the Taiyuan Formation in the southern North China Basin,were selected for TOC prediction using a combination of experimental organic geochemical data and well logging data including natural gamma-ray(GR),density(DEN),acoustic(AC),neutron(CNL)and U spectral gamma-ray(U),and TH spectral gamma-ray(TH).The correlation coefficient,coefficient of determination,standard deviation,mean squared error(MSE)and root mean squared error(RMSE)were selected to conduct the error analysis of the evaluation of different well log-based prediction methods,involving U spectral gamma logging,ΔlogR,and multivariate fitting methods to obtain the optimal TOC prediction method for the Taiyuan transitional shale.The plots of TOC versus the remaining volatile hydrocarbon content and the generation potential from Rock Eval show good to excellent potentials for hydrocarbon generation.The integrated results obtained from the various log-based TOC estimation methods indicate that,the multivariate fitting method of GR-U-DEN-CNL combination is preferable,with the correlation coefficients of 0.78 and 0.97 for the entire and objective interval of the Taiyuan Formation respectively,and with the minimum MSE and RMSE values.Specifically,the U spectral gamma logging method based on single logging parameter is also a better choice for TOC prediction of the high-quality intervals.This study provides a reference for the exploration and development of unconventional shale gas such as transitional shale gas.