Fractal Characterization of Pore Structures in Marine–Continental Transitional Shale Gas Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Shanxi Formation in the Ordos Basin

Jiao Zhang, Wei Dang (), Qin Zhang (), Xiaofeng Wang, Guichao Du, Changan Shan, Yunze Lei, Lindong Shangguan, Yankai Xue and Xin Zhang
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Jiao Zhang: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Wei Dang: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Qin Zhang: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, China
Xiaofeng Wang: No. 12 Oil Production Plant, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Qingyang 745000, China
Guichao Du: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Changan Shan: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Yunze Lei: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Lindong Shangguan: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Yankai Xue: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Xin Zhang: School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: Marine–continental transitional shale is a promising unconventional gas reservoir, playing an increasingly important role in China’s energy portfolio. However, compared to marine shale, research on marine–continental transitional shale’s fractal characteristics of pore structure and complete pore size distribution remains limited. In this work, high-pressure mercury intrusion, N 2 adsorption, and CO 2 adsorption techniques, combined with fractal geometry modeling, were employed to characterize the pore structure of the Shanxi Formation marine–continental transitional shale. The shale exhibits generally high TOC content and abundant clay minerals, indicating strong hydrocarbon-generation potential. The pore size distribution is multi-modal: micropores and mesopores dominate, contributing the majority of the specific surface area and pore volume, whereas macropores display a single-peak distribution. Fractal analysis reveals that micropores have high fractal dimensions and structural regularity, mesopores exhibit dual-fractal characteristics, and macropores show large variations in fractal dimension. Characteristics of pore structure is primarily controlled by TOC content and mineral composition. These findings provide a quantitative basis for evaluating shale reservoir quality, understanding gas storage mechanisms, and optimizing strategies for sustainable of oil and gas development in marine–continental transitional shales.

Keywords: marine–continental transitional shale; shale gas; gas adsorption; pore structure; fractal properties (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: 2025
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