Lower limit of thermal maturity for the carbonization of organic matter in marine shale and its exploration risk

Based on the drilling data of the Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin and periphery, SW China, the Ro lower limits and essential features of the carbonization of organic matter in over-high maturity marine shale were examined using laser Raman, electrical and physical property characterization techniques. Three preliminary conclusions are drawn: (1) The lower limit of Ro for the carbonization of Type I-II1 organic matter in marine shale is 3.5%; when the Ro is less than 3.4%, carbonization of organic matter won't happen in general; when the Ro ranges from 3.4% to 3.5%, non-carbonization and weak carbonization of organic matter may coexist; when the Ro is higher than 3.5%, the carbonization of organic matter is highly likely to take place. (2) Organic-rich shale entering carbonization phase have three basic characteristics: log resistivity curve showing a general “slender neck” with low-ultralow resistance response, Raman spectra showing a higher graphite peak, and poor physical property (with matrix porosity of only less than 1/2 of the normal level). (3) The quality damage of shale reservoir caused by the carbonization of organic matter is almost fatal, which primarily manifests in depletion of hydrocarbon generation capacity, reduction or disappearance of organic pores and intercrystalline pores of clay minerals, and drop of adsorption capacity to natural gas. Therefore, the lower limit of Ro for the carbonization of Type I-II1 organic matter should be regarded as the theoretically impassable red line of shale gas exploration in the ancient marine shale formations. The organic-rich shale with low-ultralow resistance should be evaluated effectively in area selection to exclude the high risk areas caused by the carbonization of organic matter. The target organic-rich shale layers with low-ultralow resistance drilled during exploration and development should be evaluated on carbonization level of organic matter, and the deployment plan should be adjusted according to the evaluation results in time.