Pore structure and fractal characteristics of marine-continental transitional shales in the Southern North China Basin

What is it about?

The shale pore development, which is the key factor in determining the reservoir gas-bearing capacity, is complex. By comparing and studying the pore data of the typical gas-producing shale of the other three sedimentary facies in China, it is concluded that the transitional facies of Shanxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation in the South North China Basin have good gas storage capacity and high shale gas resource potential. However, due to the effects of compaction, macropores formed by quartz break and are filled with clay, resulted in a low daily gas production of the transitional shale in well MY1 after shale gas production.

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Photo by Koushik Chowdavarapu on Unsplash

Photo by Koushik Chowdavarapu on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Research on marine-continental transitional shale in China is significant because this type of shale contains rich gas resources. Problems that must be solved in the exploration of transitional shale gas include difficulties with respect to the prediction of the shale gas enrichment area and the selection of favorable intervals. The pore characterization of shale gas reservoirs, which is the key factor controlling the gas-bearing capacity.We conclude that the Shanxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation of the transitional facies in the southern North China Basin have good shale gas resource potential, but due to the effects of compaction, macropores formed by quartz break and are filled with clay, resulting in a low daily gas production of the transitional shale in well MY1 after fracturing. The results provide references for the optimization of favorable reservoirs and the prediction of enrichment areas during transitional shale gas exploration.