Key geological factors for shale gas accumulation in the Wufeng–Longmaxi Fms in the central Yangtze area

The Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the central Yangtze area of southern China has a good prospect of shale gas exploration. So far, however, its complicated geological conditions and shale gas exploration and development potentials have not been understood completely, which affects its exploration achievements. In order to determine the main factors controlling shale gas enrichment in the Wufeng–Longmaxi Fms in this area, this paper studied the key shale gas enrichment conditions in the black shale there (e.g. sedimentary environments, reservoir development characteristics and preservation conditions) based on single-well comprehensive reservoir evaluation, combined with drilling, logging, core, outcrop and test data. In addition, it was compared with the main shale gas blocks in the Sichuan Basin, such as Jiaoshiba and Changning. And the following research results are obtained. First, the organic-rich shale section in this area was formed during the sedimentation from Wufeng Formation to the third submember of the first member of Longmaxi Formation. It is the deposit of deepwater continental facies, and its thickness is in a range of 15–39 m, presenting a trend of increasing from south to north. Second, the reservoir rocks in the high-quality shale sections are dominated by siliceous shale, and the reservoir porosity is in a range of 1.60–7.44%. The reservoir spaces are dominated by organic pores with good connectivity and high total organic carbon (TOC) content. The organic matter is of a sapropel–sapropel prone hybrid type, with a high thermal evolution degree, better gas bearing property and good fracturability. Third, the Dangyang synclinorium is characterized by better strata preservation, rock occurrence flat, less developed faults and thick and stable roofs and floors, so its shale gas preservation conditions are better. Fourth, different from the Changning and Jiaoshiba Blocks, the central Yangtze area is characterized by great burial depth, large bidirectional stress difference, and low formation pressure coefficient. In conclusion, the Wufeng–Longmaxi Fms is better in shale gas enrichment conditions and has a potential of further exploration. However, its commercial shale gas development and scale production increase in the future face challenges due to its large stress difference, great burial depth, and lower pressure coefficient.