Both the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation and the Upper Permian Dalong Formation shales in southern China are organic-rich with well-developed nanoscale reservoir pores, demonstrating significant shale gas exploration potential. However, the current lack of in-depth research on the differential depositional and reservoir evolution characteristics of these two shale sequences has left the main controlling factors of the reservoirs unclear, thereby constraining breakthroughs in shale gas development. Focusing on the Longmaxi and Dalong formation shales in the Sichuan Basin, this study employed various analytical methods, including major and trace element analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), nitrogen adsorption, CO2 adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Investigations into the depositional paleoenvironment, paleoproductivity, organic matter enrichment, and microscopic difference mechanisms of nanoscale reservoirs reveal that the Longmaxi Formation shale represents a passive continental margin shelf facies. It is characterized by strong terrigenous input, a predominance of quartz and clay minerals, and consists mainly of siliceous and argillaceous shale facies with high organic matter abundance. In contrast, the Dalong Formation shale was deposited in an intra-platform basin under the influence of intra-platform rifting. It features weak terrigenous input, highly reducing conditions, and strong paleoproductivity. Dominated by quartz and carbonate minerals, its lithofacies are primarily siliceous and calcareous shales. Within the Dalong Formation, the diagenetic dissolution of carbonate minerals promotes the development of micrometer-scale pores larger than 100 μm, while the extensive thermal evolution of organic matter fosters the formation of honeycomb- and embayment-like nanoscale micropores and mesopores, rendering it a relatively superior shale reservoir. Ultimately, the high-TOC shales in the lower part of the Longmaxi Formation and the upper part of the Dalong Formation are identified as the primary sweet spot intervals for future shale gas development.
Wang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.