Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Lower Paleozoic Heituao Shale from Tadong Low Uplift of Tarim Basin, China: Implication for Shale Gas Development

Abstract

Tarim Basin is the largest Petroliferous basin in China, while its shale gas development potential has not been fully revealed. The organic-rich black shale in middle Ordovician Heituao Formation from Tadong low uplift of Tarim Basin has been considered as an important source rock and has the characteristic of large thickness, high organic matter content and high thermal maturity degree. To obtain its development potential, geochemical, mineralogical and mechanics research is conducted based on Rock-Eval pyrolysis, total organic carbon (TOC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and uniaxial compression experiments. The results show that: (1) the TOC content ranges between 0.63 and 2.51 wt% with an average value of 1.22 wt%, the Tmax values are 382–523 °C (average = 468.9 °C), and the S2 value is relatively low which ranges from 0.08 to 1.37 mg HC/g rock (averaging of 0.42 mg HC/g rock); (2) the organic matter of Heituao shale in Tadong low uplift show poor abundance as indicated by low S2 value, gas-prone property, and post mature stage (stage of dry gas). (3) Quartz is the main mineral component in Heituao shale samples, accounting for 26–94 wt% with an average of 72 wt%. Additionally, its Young’s modulus ranges from 20.0 to 23.1 GPa with an average of 21.2 GPa, Poisson’s ratio ranges between 0.11 and 0.21 (average = 0.15); (4) the fracability parameter of brittleness index (BI) ranges between 0.28 and 0.99 (averaging of 0.85), indicating good fracability potential of Heituao shale of Tadong low uplift and has the potential for shale gas development. This study reveals the shale gas accumulation potential in middle Ordovician of the Tarim Basin, and beneficial for future exploration and production practice.