A world-class source rock in southern China formed during the periods from Katian to Rhuddanian: Biostratigraphic distribution, depositional model and shale gas potential

Abstract

Typical outcrops and shale gas wells from the upper Ordovician (Katian and Hirnantian) Wufeng Formation to the lower Silurian (Rhuddanian) Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin of southern China were selected to investigate the shale quality and shale gas potential. The chronostratigraphy was studied based on the graptolite biozones and well logging. The sedimentary environment, depositional facies, biostratigraphic distribution, depositional model and lithological characteristics were characterized. Organic-rich shale primarily developed in the late Katian to the early–middle Rhuddanian. Two organic-rich shale depocentres were identified in the southern and eastern-north-eastern Sichuan Basin. The spatial distribution of organic-rich shale of different graptolite biozones was determined and showed gradual migration northwest. The depocentre of the Dicellograptus complexus Biozone to the Cystograptus vesiculosus Biozone was controlled by paleo-uplift and a submarine high. The black shale typically lacks some graptolite biozones, and even if it is fully developed, the thickness of organic-rich shale is thin and has a poor shale gas source potential. The control effect of the graptolite biozone on shale-gas-enrichment helps to evaluate the shale-gas-enriched and productive intervals accurately. This study characterises the organic-rich shale distribution in the Sichuan Basin and helps in assessing organic-rich shale and identifying sweet spots of shale gas potential.