Reservoir evolution mechanisms of the Upper Ordovician Wufeng-Lower Silurian Longmaxi shale in the Sichuan Basin
Wang Ruyue1, Hu Zongquan1, Long Shengxiang1, Du Wei1, Zhao Jianhua4
(1. SINOPEC Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China; 2. State Key Laboratory of Shale Oil and Gas Enrichment Mechanisms and Effective Development, Beijing 102206, China; 3. SINOPEC Key Laboratory of Shale Gas/Oil Exploration & Production, Beijing 102206, China; 4. School of Geosciences, ChinaUniversity of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China)
Abstract: Based on analysis of mineral petrology, organic geochemistry, storage space, physical properties and gas-bearing characteristics, evolution mechanism and their influence on shale gas exploration and development in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng and Lower Silurian Longmaxi shales are scrutinized and discussed. The shale reservoir evolution mechanism of "biological silicon-calcium controls rigid mineral frameworks, co-evolution promotes pore generation, and pressure evolution controls preservation" is proposed. Results show that: (1) lithofacies along with the type and occurrence of organic matter (organic pore carrier) play an important role in controlling the development of organic pores. The interparticle pores (>3~5 µm) filled with organic matter in the siliceous shale are highly developed, which is most conducive to the development of organic macropores. The development of organic pores in argillaceous shale is affected by the TOC content and the structure of the organo-clay composites. Pore size of the organic pores in argillaceous shale shows great variances with a relatively large average, but the total number of organic pores is small. (2) The rigid mineral framework composed of bio-quartz, microbial dolomite and pyrite formed in the syngenesis to the early diagenesis stage contributes to the preservation of original pores. In the early stage of the middle diagenesis, the production and consumption of organic acids, unstable mineral dissolution/alteration, clay mineral transformation and kerogen oil generation are synchronized, which provides favorable spaces for the charging and retention of liquid hydrocarbons during the oil generation period. From the late mid-diagenesis stage to the late diagenetic stage, shale gas/organic pore generation and pressure increase of kerogen as well as retained hydrocarbon cracking promote the development of organic pores and micro-fractures. (3) The mitigation against compaction by overpressure allows the maintenance of organic pore morphology and shale physical properties. Its influence on high stress-sensitive argillaceous shale at upper section is obvious, which is on the other hand unapparent on siliceous shale at the bottom. With the tectonic deformation and pressure relief intensity increasing from the basin to the edge areas, the physical properties of the siliceous shale at the bottom largely remains the same, while the physical properties of the upper argillaceous shale become poor resulting in an enhanced sealing capacity. Future research should focus on the coupling relationship between structure-pressure and hydrocarbon generation-diagenesis evolution of different types (deep, normal pressure, etc.) shale reservoirs and their effects on shale reservoir types, shale gas enrichment and preservation mechanisms, etc.