Shale gas reservoir characterisation: A typical case in the southern Sichuan Basin of China

The Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is an organic-rich (black) mudrock that is widely considered to be a potential shale gas reservoir in the southern Sichuan Basin (the Yangtze plate) in Southwest China. A case study is presented to characterise the shale gas reservoir using a workflow to evaluate its characteristics. A typical characterisation of a gas shale reservoir was determined using basset sample analysis (geochemical, petrographical, mineralogical, and petrophysical) through a series of tests. The results show that the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale reservoir is characterised by organic geochemistry and mineralogical, petrophysical and gas adsorption. Analysis of the data demonstrates that the reservoir properties of the rock in this region are rich and that the bottom group of the Longmaxi Formation has the greatest potential for gas production due to higher thermal maturity, total organic carbon (TOC) enrichment, better porosity and improved fracture potential. These results will provide a basis for further evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential of the Longmaxi Formation shale in the Sichuan Basin and for identifying areas with exploration potential.

► The reservoir properties of the rock in southern Sichuan Basin of China are rich. ► More than 30-meter thickness at the bottom of Longmaxi Formation was the ideal horizon. ► The bottom group was in favour for the exploration and development of the shale gas. ► It is due to its high organic content, sapropelic type and high thermal maturity. ► It will provide for further evaluation and identifying favourable areas.