Analysis of favorable sedimentary facies belt of shale gas in Uralik Formation in western Ordos Basin

ZHAO Huitao; YU Jian; PU Boling; ZHANG Haitao; GUI Xiaojun; LI Lianxia; WANG Ke; ZHANG Yanrong

doi:10.12097/gbc.2023.11.045

2025 Vol. 44, No. 5

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ZHAO Huitao, YU Jian, PU Boling, ZHANG Haitao, GUI Xiaojun, LI Lianxia, WANG Ke, ZHANG Yanrong. 2025. Analysis of favorable sedimentary facies belt of shale gas in Uralik Formation in western Ordos Basin. Geological Bulletin of China, 44(5): 766-777. doi: 10.12097/gbc.2023.11.045

Citation:

ZHAO Huitao, YU Jian, PU Boling, ZHANG Haitao, GUI Xiaojun, LI Lianxia, WANG Ke, ZHANG Yanrong. 2025. Analysis of favorable sedimentary facies belt of shale gas in Uralik Formation in western Ordos Basin. Geological Bulletin of China, 44(5): 766-777. doi: 10.12097/gbc.2023.11.045

Analysis of favorable sedimentary facies belt of shale gas in Uralik Formation in western Ordos Basin

1.
Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Changqing Oilfield Company of CNPC, Xi’an 710018, Shaanxi, China
2.
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, Shaanxi, China
3.
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Petroleum Accumulation Geology, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, Shaanxi, China

More Information

Corresponding author: PU Boling, sd_yujiao@sina.com

Received Date: 30 November 2023

Revised Date: 19 April 2024

Publish Date: 15 May 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
Promising gas shows have been observed in shale gas wells drilled in the organic−rich Uralik shale along the western margin of the Ordos Basin, marking a breakthrough in shale gas exploration and revealing significant exploration potential. To enhance the geological understanding of the sedimentary characteristics of organic−rich shale and clarify the distribution and development patterns of these shales, we conducted sedimentary facies division and analyzed favorable facies zones for the Uralik shale.
Methods
Based on core observation, drilling, logging, and experimental tests, a comprehensive study of the sedimentary characteristics of the Uralik shale was conducted, leading to a refined division of sedimentary facies. We also optimized favorable sedimentary facies zones in conjunction with shale gas enrichment characteristics.
Results
The study concluded that the Uralik shale is widely and relatively stably distributed in the study area, exhibiting characteristics of 'thicker deposits in the northern region and thinner in the southern region', and 'thicker in the western region and thinner in the eastern region.' There is a significant difference in burial depth between the north and south, with strong structural disturbance in the east and west. The Uralik shale was deposited in a semi−deep water environment, predominantly consisting of graptolite−rich black shale. The sedimentary facies are arranged in a north−south belt, with water depth gradually increasing from east to west. This progression developed platform margin slope facies, broad−shelf sea facies, and basin facies. The western part of the basin is dominated by broad−shelf sea facies, which can be subdivided into three microfacies based on mineral composition: siliceous mud shed, calcareous mud shed, and mixed mud shed. Among these, the siliceous mud shed shale, which has a high silicon content (>50%), high organic matter abundance (TOC >1%), and good reservoir physical properties, is identified as the most favorable sedimentary microfacies.
Conclusion
Therefore, based on the research, it is concluded that the high−quality Uralik shale is a siliceous shale deposited at the base of the Uralik Formation.
- Uralik shale /
- sedimentary facies /
- favorable sedimentary facies /
- shale gas /
- geological survey project /
- Ordos Basin

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