The potential of normal-pressure shale gas exploration of the Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Wulong area, Chongqing

GUAN Linlin; WANG Qingzhi; GAO Quanfang; LIU Lin; LI Yanjing

doi:10.12097/gbc.2024.01.003

2025 Vol. 44, No. 6

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GUAN Linlin, WANG Qingzhi, GAO Quanfang, LIU Lin, LI Yanjing. 2025. The potential of normal-pressure shale gas exploration of the Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Wulong area, Chongqing. Geological Bulletin of China, 44(6): 982-992. doi: 10.12097/gbc.2024.01.003

Citation:

GUAN Linlin, WANG Qingzhi, GAO Quanfang, LIU Lin, LI Yanjing. 2025. The potential of normal-pressure shale gas exploration of the Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Wulong area, Chongqing. Geological Bulletin of China, 44(6): 982-992. doi: 10.12097/gbc.2024.01.003

The potential of normal-pressure shale gas exploration of the Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Wulong area, Chongqing

1.
State Key Laboratory of Shale Oil and Gas Enrichment Mechanisms and Efficient Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China
2.
Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Sinopec East China Oil and Gas Company, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China

Fund Project: Supported by Sinopec Technology Department projects (Nos.P24115; P23221)

More Information

Author Bio: GUAN Linlin, female, born in 1990, master, assistant researcher, mainly engaged in shale gas exploration research; E-mail: guanlinlin_upc@163.com

Received Date: 22 January 2024

Revised Date: 25 April 2025

Publish Date: 15 June 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
To clarify the geological characteristics and preservation conditions of the Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale gas, and to analyze the potential of the shale gas under normal pressure, this paper provides a reference for the efficient development of the Wulong area.
Methods
Based on the knowledge and achievements of shale gas exploration and development in southeast Chongqing, the research was conducted through the aspects of geological knowledge, regional tectonic evolution and fine seismic interpretation.
Results
The static evaluation indexes are superior and have good shale gas exploration potential of the Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in this area. The difference of single well productivity is mainly due to the influence of tectonics between Wulong, Jiaoshiba and Nanchuan area. The compressive stress of Yanshan period was dominant in Wulong area, which was conducive to the transformation and preservation of shale gas reservoirs, and the extension stress was dominant in the Himalayan period, which made local shale gas preservation conditions deteriorate due to formation denudation, fracture development, stress release and other factors.
Conclusions
The Wulong area has the characteristics of "deep−water shelf facies controlling hydrocarbon generation, tectonic movement periods controlling shale gas preservation, and tectonic styles controlling shale gas enrichment". The eastern graben is located in the extensional tectonic zone, and the fault opening leads to poor preservation conditions, which is not conducive to shale gas exploration and development. The central uplift area in the southern depression and the fault−developed fold area in the central part under compressive stress are favorable targets for shale gas exploration.
- normal-pressure shale gas /
- preservation conditions /
- tectonic styles /
- exploration potential /
- Chongqing

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References

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