Exploration Prospects of Shale Gas Resources in the Upper Permian Linxi Formation in the Suolun-Linxi Area, NE China

Abstract

The commercial exploitation of shale gas in the United States has changed the world’s energy structure. At present, many countries are increasing their commercial investments in this field, including China. On the basis of systematic analyses of laboratory test results, and drilling and outcrops investigation data in the Suolun-Linxi area, northeast of China, shale gas forming conditions and exploration prospects of the Upper Permian Linxi Formation are studied from such properties as the source rock sedimentary characteristics, the gas concentration of organic-rich shales, and the organic geochemical and reservoir characteristics. Studies indicate that the Upper Permian Linxi Formation has thick black shale (ranging from 50 to 485), excessive total organic carbon (TOC) content (ranging from 0.15% to 3.02%), a high thermal maturity with an average Ro value of 2.6% (ranging from 2.03% to 4.33%), and a high brittle mineral content with an average value of 71.2% (ranging from 58.5% to 97.5%). Moreover, abund...