scholarly journals Reservoir Characteristics of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale in Zhaotong Region, Southern China

Geofluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Chao Luo ◽  
Nanxin Yin ◽  
Hun Lin ◽  
Xuanbo Gao ◽  
Junlei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Organic Carbon ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Longmaxi Formation ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
Longmaxi Shale ◽  
Scanning Electron

The lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation hosts a highly productive shale gas play in the Zhaotong region of southern China. According to core observation, X-ray diffraction analyses, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, the shale comprises primarily quartz, carbonate minerals, and clay minerals, with minor amounts of plagioclase, K-feldspar, and pyrite. The clay mineral content ranges from 15.0% to 46.1%, with an average of 29.3% in the Zhaotong region. Organic geochemical analyses show that the Longmaxi Formation has good potential for shale gas resources by calculating total organic carbon, vitrinite reflectance, and gas content. Scanning electron microscope images demonstrate that reservoir pore types in the Longmaxi shale include organic pores, interparticle pores, intercrystalline pores, intraparticle pores, and fractures. Reservoir distribution is controlled by lithofacies, mineral composition, and geochemical factors. In addition, we investigated the relationships between reservoir parameters and production from 15 individual wells in the Zhaotong region by correlation coefficients. As a result, the brittleness index, total organic carbon (TOC), porosity, and gas content were used to define high-quality reservoirs in the Longmaxi shale. Based on these criteria, we mapped the thickness and distribution of high-quality reservoirs in the Longmaxi Formation and selected highlighted several key sites for future exploration and development.

scholarly journals Difference Analysis of Organic Matter Enrichment Mechanisms in Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Shale from the Yangtze Region of Southern China and Its Geological Significance in Shale Gas Exploration

Geofluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Wen ◽  
Zhenxue Jiang ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Yan Song ◽  
Shu Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Sedimentary Organic Matter ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Silicon Isotope ◽  
Upper Ordovician ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
Excess Silicon ◽  
Lower Yangtze

The upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale has always been the main target of marine shale gas exploration in southern China. However, the shale gas content varies greatly across different regions. The organic matter content is one of the most important factors in determining gas content; therefore, determining the enrichment mechanisms of organic matter is an important problem that needs to be solved urgently. In this paper, upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale samples from the X-1 and Y-1 wells that are located in the southern Sichuan area of the upper Yangtze region and the northwestern Jiangxi area of the lower Yangtze region, respectively, are selected for analysis. Based on the core sample description, well logging data analysis, mineral and elemental composition analysis, silicon isotope analysis, and TOC (total organic carbon) content analysis, the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale is studied to quantitatively calculate its content of excess silicon. Subsequently, the results of elemental analysis and silicon isotope analysis are used to determine the origin of excess silicon. Finally, we used U/Th to determine the characteristics of the redox environment and the relationship between excess barium and TOC content to judge paleoproductivity and further studied the mechanism underlying sedimentary organic matter enrichment in the study area. The results show that the excess silicon from the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale in the upper Yangtze area is derived from biogenesis. The sedimentary water body is divided into an oxygen-rich upper water layer that has higher paleoproductivity and a strongly reducing lower water that is conducive to the preservation of sedimentary organic matter. Thus, for the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale in the upper Yangtze region, exploration should be conducted in the center of the blocks with high TOC contents and strongly reducing water body. However, the excess silicon in the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale of the lower Yangtze area originates from hydrothermal activity that can enhance the reducibility of the bottom water and carry nutrients from the crust to improve paleoproductivity and enrich sedimentary organic matter. Therefore, for the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale in the lower Yangtze region, exploration should be conducted in the blocks near the junction of the two plates where hydrothermal activity was active.

Logging Evaluation Method and its Application for Measuring the Total Organic Carbon Content in Shale

2014 ◽  
Vol 962-965 ◽  
pp. 51-54
Author(s):  
Zhi Feng Wang ◽  
Yuan Fu Zhang ◽  
Hai Bo Zhang ◽  
Qing Zhai Meng
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Organic Carbon ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Sichuan Basin ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Geochemical Analysis ◽  
Data Logging ◽  
Longmaxi Formation ◽  
Sedimentary Structures

The acquisition of the total organic carbon (TOC) content mainly relies on the geochemical analysis and logging data. Due to geochemical analysis is restricted by coring and experimental analysis, so it is difficult to get the continuous TOC data. Logging evaluation method for measuring TOC is very important for shale gas exploration. This paper presents a logging evaluation method that the shale is segmented according to sedimentary structures. Sedimentary structures were recognized by core, thin section and scanning electron microscope. Taking Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation, Silurian, Muai Syncline Belt, south of Sichuan Basin as research object, the shale is divided into three kinds: massive mudstone, unobvious laminated mudstone, and laminated mudstone. TOC within each mudstone are calculated using GR, resistivity and AC logging data, and an ideal result is achieved. This method is more efficient, faster and the vertical resolution is higher than △logR method.

The Gas Content Characteristics of Nanopores Developed in a Normal Pressure Shale Gas Reservoir in Southeast Chongqing, Sichuan Basin, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 698-706
Author(s):  
Fangwen Chen ◽  
Qiang Zheng ◽  
Hongqin Zhao ◽  
Xue Ding ◽  
Yiwen Ju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Normal Pressure ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Adsorbed Gas ◽  
Longmaxi Shale

To evaluate the gas content characteristics of nanopores developed in a normal pressure shale gas reservoir, the Py1 well in southeast Chongqing was selected as a case study. A series of experiments was performed to analyze the total organic carbon content, porosity and gas content using core material samples of the Longmaxi Shale from the Py1 well. The results show that the adsorbed gas and free gas content in the nanopores developed in the Py1 well in the normal pressure shale gas reservoir range from 0.46–2.24 m3/t and 0.27–0.83 m3/t, with average values of 1.38 m3/t and 0.50 m3/t, respectively. The adsorbed gas is dominant in the shale gas reservoir, accounting for 53.05–88.23% of the total gas with an average value of 71.43%. The Gas Research Institute (GRI) porosity and adsorbed gas content increase with increasing total organic carbon content. The adsorbed gas and free gas contents both increase with increasing porosity value, and the rate of increase in the adsorbed gas content with porosity is larger than that of free gas. Compared with the other five shale reservoirs in America, the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale in the Py1 well developed nanopores but without overpressure, which is not favorable for shale gas enrichment.

scholarly journals Factors Controlling Shale Reservoirs and Development Potential Evaluation: A Case Study

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Chao Luo ◽  
Hun Lin ◽  
Yujiao Peng ◽  
Hai Qu ◽  
Xiaojie Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Longmaxi Formation ◽  
Development Potential ◽  
Reservoir Characteristics ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
Single Well ◽  
Shale Reservoir ◽  
Shale Reservoirs

The shale of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is an important gas-producing layer for shale gas development in southern China. This set of shale reservoir characteristics and shale gas development potential provide an important foundation for shale gas development. This study takes wellblock XN111 in the Sichuan Basin, China, as an example and uses X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), isothermal adsorption, and other techniques to analyze the shale reservoir characteristics of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation. The results show that the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation was deposited in a deep-water shelf environment. During this period, carbonaceous shale and siliceous shale characterized by a high brittle mineral content ( quartz > 40   wt . % , carbonate   mineral > 10   wt . % ) and a low clay mineral content (<30 wt.%, mainly illite) were widely deposited throughout the region. The total organic carbon (TOC) content reaches up to 6.07 wt.%, with an average of 2.66 wt.%. The vitrinite reflectance is 1.6–2.28%, with an average of 2.05%. The methane adsorption capacity is 0.84–4.69 m3/t, with an average of 2.92 m3/t. Pores and fractures are developed in the shale reservoirs. The main reservoir space is composed of connected mesopores with an average porosity of 4.78%. The characteristics and development potential of the shale reservoirs in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation are controlled by the following factors: (1) the widespread deep-water shelf deposition in wellblock XN111 was a favorable environment for the development of high-quality shale reservoirs with a cumulative thickness of up to 50 m; (2) the high TOC content enabled the shale reservoir to have a high free gas content and a high adsorptive gas storage capacity; and (3) the shale’s high maturity or over maturity is conducive to the development of pores and fractures in the organic matter, which effectively improves the storage capacity of the shale reservoirs. The reservoir characteristic index was constructed using the high-quality shale’s thickness, gas content, TOC, fracture density, and clay content. Using production data from shale gas wells in adjacent blocks, a mathematical relationship was established between the Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) of a single well and the Reservoir Characteristics Index (Rci). The EUR of a single well in wellblock XN111 was estimated.

Brittleness evaluation of the Lower Silurian marine shale reservoirs: A case study of Longmaxi shale in Fenggang block, Southern China

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-55
Author(s):  
Yang Gu ◽  
Sheng Xu ◽  
Chao Fang ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Bairen Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Strain Energy ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Strain Energy Release ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
Data Inversion ◽  
Fracture Development ◽  
Longmaxi Shale ◽  
Shale Reservoirs

The brittleness of shale determines the fracturability of shale reservoir and has a great influence on the exploration and development of shale gas. Therefore, prediction of brittleness and evaluation of fracturability of shale are very important in finding favorable areas for shale gas. We used the mineral composition, rock mechanics experiment, logging evaluation, two-dimensional seismic data inversion and fracture development degree to evaluation and analysis the vertical and plane brittleness characteristics and main controlling factors of the Longmaxi shale. In addition, we established the fracturability index (FI) of shale based on the brittleness index, critical strain energy release rate and fracture toughness. The results indicate that the brittle mineral content of Longmaxi shale in Fenggang block is between 69% and 90%, shale samples are prone to brittle deformation by microscopic observation. Brittle deformation has a positive effect on the porosity and percolation ability of shale; the fractures in the upper and lower parts of Longmaxi shale are relatively developed, and the degree of core fracture development is consistent with rock brittleness. The brittleness distribution of two-dimensional seismic data inversion is in good agreement with the brittleness predicted by well logging; shale reservoirs with low fracture toughness, low critical strain energy release rate and high brittleness index have high fracturability. Therefore, the research on shale brittleness and fracturability of Lower Silurian Longmaxi shale is expected to have important guiding significance for shale gas exploration and development in Southern China.

scholarly journals Shale favorable area optimization in coal-bearing series: A case study from the Shanxi Formation in Northern Ordos Basin, China

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 1295-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Guo ◽  
Weijun Shen ◽  
Shangwen Zhou ◽  
Huaqing Xue ◽  
Dexun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Organic Carbon ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Ordos Basin ◽  
Sedimentary Facies ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
River Channels

Shales in the Well district of Yu 106 of the Shanxi Formation in the Eastern Ordos Basin is deposited in the swamp between delta plains, distributary river channels, natural levee, the far end of crevasse splay, and depression environments. According to organic geochemistry, reservoir physical property, gas bearing capacity, lithology experimental analysis, combined with the data of drilling, logging, testing and sedimentary facies, the reservoir conditions of shale gas and the distribution of an advantageous area in Shanxi Formation have been conducted. The results show that the total organic carbon content of the Shanxi Formation is relatively high, with an average content value of 5.28% in the segment 2 and 3.02% in segment 1, and the organic matter is mainly kerogen type II2 and III. The maturity of organic matter is high with 1.89% as the average value of Ro which indicates the superior condition for gas generation of this reservoir. The porosity of shales is 1.7% on average, and the average permeability is 0.0415 × 10−3 µm2. The cumulative thickness is relatively large, with an average of 75 m. Brittle mineral and clay content in shales are 49.9% and 50.1%, respectively, but the burial depth of shale is less than 3000 m. The testing gas content is relatively high (0.64 × 104 m3/d), which shows a great potential in commercial development. The total organic carbon of the segment 2 is higher than that of the segment 1, and it is also better than segment 1 in terms of gas content. Based on the thickness of shale and the distribution of sedimentary facies, it is predicted that the advantageous area of shale gas in the segment 2 is distributed in a striped zone along the northeast and the northsouth direction, which is controlled by the swamp microfacies between distributary river channels.

scholarly journals Organoporosity Evaluation of Shale: A Case Study of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale in Southeast Chongqing, China

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangwen Chen ◽  
Shuangfang Lu ◽  
Xue Ding
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Material Balance ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Correction Coefficient ◽  
Hydrocarbon Generation ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Longmaxi Shale

The organopores play an important role in determining total volume of hydrocarbons in shale gas reservoir. The Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale in southeast Chongqing was selected as a case to confirm the contribution of organopores (microscale and nanoscale pores within organic matters in shale) formed by hydrocarbon generation to total volume of hydrocarbons in shale gas reservoir. Using the material balance principle combined with chemical kinetics methods, an evaluation model of organoporosity for shale gas reservoirs was established. The results indicate that there are four important model parameters to consider when evaluating organoporosity in shale: the original organic carbon (w(TOC0)), the original hydrogen index (IH0), the transformation ratio of generated hydrocarbon (F(Ro)), and the organopore correction coefficient (C). The organoporosity of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale in the Py1 well is from 0.20 to 2.76%, and the average value is 1.25%. The organoporosity variation trends and the residual organic carbon of Longmaxi Shale are consistent in section. The residual organic carbon is indicative of the relative levels of organoporosity, while the samples are in the same shale reservoirs with similar buried depths.

Prospect Analysis of Shale Gas Resource Exploration in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation, Southeastern Margin of the Sichuan Basin, China

2014 ◽  
Vol 1014 ◽  
pp. 228-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Lin Hu ◽  
Yuan Fu Zhang ◽  
Zhi Feng Wang ◽  
Hai Bo Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Sedimentary Environment ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Guizhou Province ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Carbonaceous Shale ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Longmaxi Formation ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
Longmaxi Shale

In order to understand the sedimentary characteristics of shale and prospects of shale gas exploration in the lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation northern of Guizhou Province, outcrop and core observations, thin sections, X-ray diffraction analysis and other means are used. Studies show that the thickness of Longmaxi formation shale is generally large, range from 20m to 200m, mainly develop in the water shelf. The mineral mainly compose of detrital quartz and clay minerals, and five lithofacies can be identified: black shale, silty shale, carbonaceous shale, calcareous shale and argillaceous siltstone. Longmaxi shale kerogen type is mainlyIand II, and Ro value is average of 1.87%, mainly in the mature - over mature stage. In addition, the TOC content and gas content of Longmaxi shale is high, what’s more, these two parameters have good positive correlation. Compared with the Barnett shale, both of them have some similarities in the development environment shale, shale thickness and type of organic matter and TOC content, while, Longmaxi shale is deeply buried and post-destruction more intense. Longmaxi shale sedimentary environment is stable, high shale thickness and stable distribution, good quality source rocks and high brittle mineral content, which has meet the basic parameters of shale gas exploration and development, and has a large shale gas exploration potential in study area.

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