Integrated Assessment of Marine-Continental Transitional Facies Shale Gas of the Carboniferous Benxi Formation in the Eastern Ordos Basin

Weibo Zhao, Zhigang Wen, Hui Zhang, Chenjun Wu, Yan Liu, Huanxin Song, Liwen Zhang, Yingyang Xi and Lu Sun
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Weibo Zhao: Research Institute of Exploration and Development, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield, Xi’an 710018, China
Zhigang Wen: Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 434023, China
Hui Zhang: Research Institute of Exploration and Development, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield, Xi’an 710018, China
Chenjun Wu: Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 434023, China
Yan Liu: Research Institute of Exploration and Development, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield, Xi’an 710018, China
Huanxin Song: Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 434023, China
Liwen Zhang: Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 434023, China
Yingyang Xi: Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 434023, China
Lu Sun: Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 434023, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 24, 1-15

Abstract: In the Benxi Formation of the Carboniferous system of the Upper Paleozoic in the Ordos Basin, there are many sets of coal measures dark organic-rich shale, being marine continental transitional facies, with significant unconventional natural gas potential. Previous studies are only limited to the evaluation of tight sandstone reservoir in this set of strata, with no sufficient study on gas bearing and geological characteristics of organic-rich shale, restricting the exploration and evaluation of shale gas resources. In this study, analysis has been conducted on the organic carbon content, the major elements, the trace elements, and the mineral composition of core samples from the Benxi Formation in key drilling sections. In addition, qualitative and quantitative pore observation and characterization of core samples have been conducted. The sedimentary environments and reservoir characteristics of the shale of the Benxi Formation have been analyzed. Combined with the gas content analyzing the results of the field coring samples, the shale gas resource potentials of the Benxi Formation have been studied, and the geological characteristics of the Benxi Formation shale gas in the eastern Ordos Basin have been made clear, to provide a theoretical basis for shale gas resource evaluation of the Benxi Formation in the Ordos Basin. The results show that (1) in the Hutian Member, Pangou Member, and Jinci Member of the Benxi Formation, organic-rich shale is well developed, with the characteristics of seawater input as a whole. There is a slight difference in sedimentary redox index, which shows that the reducibility increases gradually from bottom to top. (2) There is an evident difference in the mineral characteristics of shale in these three members. The Hutian Member is rich in clay minerals, while the Jinci Member is high in quartz minerals. (3) The pores are mainly inorganic mineral intergranular pores, clay interlayer fractures, and micro fractures, and organic matter pores are developed on the surface of local organic matter. (4) The mud shale in the Jinci Member has a large cumulative thickness, has relatively high gas-bearing property, and is rich in brittle minerals. The Jinci Member is a favorable section for shale gas exploration of the Benxi Formation.

Keywords: shale gas; marine-continental transitional facies; Benxi Formation; sedimentary environment; pore characteristics (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 complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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