Geological Factors Controlling the Accumulation and High Yield of Marine-Facies Shale Gas: Case Study of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the Dingshan Area of Southeast Sichuan, China

The main geological factors controlling the accumulation and yield of marine-facies shale gas reservoirs are the focus of the current shale gas exploration and development research.In this study,the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the Dingshan area of southeast Sichuan was investigated.Shale cores underwent laboratory testing,which included the evaluation of total organic carbon(TOC),vitrinite reflectance(Ro),whole-rock X-ray diffraction(XRD),pore permeability,and imaging through field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM).Based on the results of natural gamma ray spectrum logging,conventional logging,imaging logging,and seismic coherence properties,the exploration and development potential of shale gas in the Dingshan area have been discussed comprehensively.The results showed that(1)layer No.4(WF2-LM4)of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation has a Th/U ratio<2 and a Th/K ratio of 3.5–12.Graptolites and pyrite are relatively abundant in the shale core,indicating sub-high-energy and low-energy marine-facies anoxic reducing environments.(2)The organic matter is mainly I-type kerogen with a small amount of II1-type kerogen.There is a good correlation among TOC,Ro,gas content,and brittle minerals;the fracturing property(brittleness)is 57.3%.Organic and inorganic pores are moderately developed.A higher pressure coefficient is correlated with the increase in porosity and the decrease in permeability.(3)The DY1 well of the shale gas reservoir was affected by natural defects and important latestage double destructive effects,and it is poorly preserved.The DY2 well is located far from the Qiyueshan Fault.Large faults are absent,and upward fractures in the Longmaxi Formation are poorly developed.The well is affected by low tectonic deformation intensity,and it is well preserved.(4)The Dingshan area is located at the junction of the two sedimentary centers of Jiaoshiba and Changning.The thickness of the high-quality shale interval(WF2-LM4)is relatively small,which may be an important reason for the unstable production of shale gas thus far.Based on the systematic analysis of the geological factors controlling high-yield shale gas enrichment in the Dingshan area,and the comparative analysis with the surrounding typical exploration areas,the geological understanding of marine shale gas enrichment in southern China has been improved.Therefore,this study can provide a useful reference for shale gas exploration and further development.

Quantitative Prediction of Fracture Distribution of the Longmaxi Formation in the Dingshan Area, China using FEM Numerical Simulation

Fracture prediction is a technical issue in the field of petroleum exploration and production worldwide.Although there are many approaches to predict the distribution of cracks underground,these approaches have some limitations.To resolve these issues,we ascertained the relation between numerical simulations of tectonic stress and the predicted distribution of fractures from the perspective of geologic genesis,based on the characteristics of the shale reservoir in the Longmaxi Formation in Dingshan;the features of fracture development in this reservoir were considered.3 D finite element method(FEM)was applied in combination with rock mechanical parameters derived from the acoustic emissions.The paleotectonic stress field of the crack formation period was simulated for the Longmaxi Formation in the Dingshan area.The splitting factor in the study area was calculated based on the rock breaking criterion.The coefficient of fracture development was selected as the quantitative prediction classification criteria for the cracks.The results show that a higher coefficient of fracture development indicates a greater degree of fracture development.On the basis of the fracture development coefficient classification,a favorable area was identified for the development of fracture prediction in the study area.The prediction results indicate that the south of the Dingshan area and the DY3 well of the central region are favorable zones for fracture development.