Structural evolution and characterization of organic-rich shale from macroscopic to microscopic resolution: The significance of tectonic activity
Abstract view|230|times PDF download|88|times
Abstract
Shale gas exploration and development have taken significant strides in the relatively straightforward intra-basin stability zone and intra-basin weak deformation zone of marine shale in the Sichuan Basin, South China. In addition, the extra-basin strong tectonic modification zones have been actively explored. However, the results have been limited, which reveals the complexity of shale gas formation and preservation conditions in the context of multi-scale geological processes. These tectonic geological conditions have a significant impact on the shale gas content, while it has been difficult to figure out how tectonic deformation modifies reservoir structure and what specific mechanism causes shale gas content anomalies. Based on subjecting geologic samples to combined high-temperature and high-pressure experiments, this study summarizes the tectonic constraint mechanism of shale petrophysical structure evolution and its impact on shale gas storage, reveals the intrinsic connection and mechanism of shale pore-fracture and organic matter, inorganic mineral particle structure evolution and tectonic stress, and identifies the remodeling mechanism of the shale reservoir physical property change. The findings contribute to the theory of shale deformation and gas accumulation, as well as offer a scientific foundation for the exploration of marine shale gas in the complex tectonic zones outside the Sichuan Basin.
Document Type: Perspective
Cited as: Gao, J., Li, X., Cheng, G., Luo, H., Zhu, H. Structural evolution and characterization of organic-rich shale from macroscopic to microscopic resolution: The significance of tectonic activity. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2023, 10(2): 84-90. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2023.11.03
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Cheng, G., Jiang, B., Li, M., et al. Structural evolution of southern Sichuan Basin (South China) and its control effects on tectonic fracture distribution in Longmaxi shale. Journal of Structural Geology, 2021, 153: 104465.
Cheng, G., Jiang, B., Li, F., et al. Distribution prediction of shale deformation structures in tectonically complex area based on relationship between geological structures and shale deformation. Frontiers in Earth Science, 2022, 10: 813074.
Cheng, G., Jiang, B., Li, F., et al. Experimental study on brittle-to-ductile transition mechanism of lower Silurian organic-rich shale in south China. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2023, 170: 105543.
Gao, J., He, S., Zhao, J., et al. Geothermometry and geobarometry of overpressured Lower Paleozoic gas shales in the Jiaoshiba field, central China: Insight from fluid inclusions in fracture cements: Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2017, 83: 124-139.
Gao, J., He, S., Zhao, J., et al. Sm-Nd isochron dating and geochemical (rare earth elements, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C) characterization of calcite veins in the Jiaoshiba shale gas field, China: Implications for the mechanisms of vein formation in shale gas systems. GSA Bulletin, 2020, 132: 1722-1740.
Gao, J., Zhang, J., He, S., et al. Overpressure generation and evolution in Lower Paleozoic gas shales of the Jiaoshiba region, China: Implications for shale gas accumulation: Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2019, 102: 844-859.
Gou, Q., Xu, S., Hao, F., et al. Evaluation of the exploration prospect and risk of marine gas shale, southern China: A case study of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales in the Jiaoshiba area and Niutitang shales in the Cen’ gong area. GSA Bulletin, 2022, 134: 1585-1602.
Guo, T. Key geological issues and main controls on accumulation and enrichment of Chinese shale gas. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2016, 43(3): 349-59.
Guo, X., Liu, R., Xu, S., et al. Structural deformation of shale pores in the fold-thrust belt: The Wufeng-Longmaxi shale in the Anchang Syncline of Central Yangtze Block. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2022, 6(6): 515-530.
Li, C., Li, X., Wang, Z., et al. Deformation characteristics of Early Paleozoic marine shale and their influence on the shale gas preservation in the eastern Sichuan-Wulingshan tectonic belt. Journal of Geomechanics, 2020, 26(6): 819-829.
Li, X., Wang, J., Li, Z., et al. Impact of Brittle Deformation on Pore Structure Evolution in Shale: Samples Collected from Different Fault Positions. Energy & Fuels, 2022, 36: 1441-1456.
Li, X., Zhu, H., Zhang, K., et al. Pore characteristics and pore structure deformation evolution of ductile deformed shales in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation, southern China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2021, 127: 104992.
Liang, M. L., Wang, Z., Gao, L., et al. Evolution of pore structure in gas shale related to structural deformation. Fuel, 2017, 197: 310-319.
Ma, Y., Zhong, N., Li, D., et al. Organic matter/clay mineral intergranular pores in the Lower Cambrian Lujiaping Shale in the north-eastern part of the upper Yangtze area, China: A possible microscopic mechanism for gas preservation. International Journal of Coal Geology, 2015, 137: 38-54.
Shang, F., Zhu, Y., Hu, Q., et al. Characterization of methane adsorption on shale of a complex tectonic area in Northeast Guizhou, China: Experimental results and geological significance. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2020, 84: 103676.
Yan, D., Zhou, M., Song, H., et al. Origin and tectonic significance of a Mesozoic multi-layer over-thrust system within the Yangtze Block (South China). Tectonophysics, 2003, 361: 239-254.
Yang, W., Wang, Y., Du, W., et al. Behavior of organic matterhosted pores within shale gas reservoirs in response to differential tectonic deformation: Potential mechanisms and innovative conceptual models. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2022, 102: 104571.
Zhao, L., Mao, W., Liu, Z., et al. Research on the differential tectonic-thermal evolution of Longmaxi shale in the southern Sichuan Basin. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2023, 7(3): 152-163.
Zheng, Y., Liao, Y., Wang, Y., et al. Organic geochemical characteristics, mineralogy, petrophysical properties, and shale gas prospects of the Wufeng-Longmaxi shales in Sanquan Town of the Nanchuan District, Chongqing. AAPG Bulletin, 2018, 102(11): 2239-2265.
Zheng, Y., Liao, Y., Wang, Y., et al. The main geological factors controlling the WufengLongmaxi shale gas content. AAPG Bulletin, 2022, 106 (10): 2073-2102.
Zhu, H., Huang, C., Ju, Y., et al. Multi-scale multi-dimensional characterization of clay-hosted pore networks of shale using FIBSEM, TEM, and Xray micro-tomography: implications for methane storage and migration deformed rocks. Applied Clay Science 2021, 213: 106239.
Zhu, H., Ju, Y., Qi, Y., et al. Impact of tectonism on pore type and pore structure evolution in organic-rich shale: implications for gas storage and migration pathways in naturally deformed rocks. Fuel, 2018, 228: 272-289.
Zhu, H., Ju, Y., Huang, C., et al. Petrophysical properties of the major marine shales in the Upper Yangtze Block, South China: a function of structural deformation. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2019a. 110: 768-786.
Zhu, H., Ju, Y., Huang, C., et al. Pore structure variations across structural deformation of Silurian Longmaxi shale: an example from the chuandong thrust-fold belt. Fuel, 2019b: 241, 914-932.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2023.11.03
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2023 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.