Characteristics of Pore Structure and Gas Content of the Lower Paleozoic Shale from the Upper Yangtze Plate, South China

Xiaoyan Zou, Xianqing Li, Jizhen Zhang, Huantong Li, Man Guo and Pei Zhao
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Xiaoyan Zou: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Xianqing Li: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Jizhen Zhang: Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources (Yangtze University), Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
Huantong Li: College of Geology and Environment, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Man Guo: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Pei Zhao: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-29

Abstract: This study is predominantly about the differences in shale pore structure and the controlling factors of shale gas content between Lower Silurian and Lower Cambrian from the upper Yangtze plate, which are of great significance to the occurrence mechanism of shale gas. The field emission scanning electron microscopy combined with Particles ( Pores ) and Cracks Analysis System software, CO 2 /N 2 adsorption and the high-pressure mercury injection porosimetry, and methane adsorption were used to investigate characteristics of overall shale pore structure and organic matter pore, heterogeneity and gas content of the Lower Paleozoic in southern Sichuan Basin and northern Guizhou province from the upper Yangtze plate. Results show that porosity and the development of organic matter pores of the Lower Silurian are better than that of the Lower Cambrian, and there are four main types of pore, including interparticle pore, intraparticle pore, organic matter pore and micro-fracture. The micropores of the Lower Cambrian shale provide major pore volume and specific surface areas. In the Lower Silurian shale, there are mesopores besides micropores. Fractal dimensions representing pore structure complexity and heterogeneity gradually increase with the increase in pore volume and specific surface areas. There is a significant positive linear relationship between total organic carbon content and micropores volume and specific surface areas of the Lower Paleozoic shale, and the correlation of the Lower Silurian is more obvious than that of the Lower Cambrian. The plane porosity of organic matter increases with the increase in total organic carbon when it is less than 5%. The plane porosity of organic matter pores is positively correlated with clay minerals content and negatively correlated with brittle minerals content. The adsorption gas content of Lower Silurian and Lower Cambrian shale are 1.51–3.86 m 3 /t (average, 2.31 m 3 /t) and 0.35–2.38 m 3 /t (average, 1.36 m 3 /t). Total organic carbon, clay minerals and porosity are the main controlling factors for the differences in shale gas content between Lower Cambrian and Lower Silurian from the upper Yangtze plate. Probability entropy and organic matter plane porosity of the Lower Silurian are higher than those of Lower Cambrian shale, but form factor and roundness is smaller.

Keywords: shale gas; pore structure; gas content; Lower Paleozoic shale; upper Yangtze plate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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