The Longtan Formation of the Upper Permian in the Sichuan Basin has become a significant target for shale gas exploration in recent years. Multiple methods, including outcrop observations, thin sections, total organic matter content, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the mineralogy, shale lithofacies assemblages and their relationships with the deposition environment. The mineral composition of the Longtan Formation has strong mineral heterogeneity. The TOC values of the Longtan Formation have a wide distribution range from 0.07% to 74.67% with an average value of 5.73%. Four types of shale lithofacies assemblages of the Longtan Formation could be distinguished, as clayey mudstone (CLS), carbonaceous shale (CAS), siliceous shale (SS) and mixed shale (MS) on the basis of mineral compositions. The TOC values of various types of shale lithofacies assemblages in the Longtan Formation varied widely. The shore swamp of the Longtan Formation is most influenced by the terrestrial input and mainly develops CLS and MS. The tidal flat is influenced by the terrestrial input and can also deposit carbonate minerals, developing CLS, CAS and MS. The shallow water melanged accumulation shelf develops CAS and MS, dominated by clay and carbonate minerals. The deep water miscible shelf develops CLS and SS, whose mineral composition is similar to that of the shore swamp, but the quartz minerals are mainly formed by chemical and biological reactions, which are related to the Permian global chert event. The depositional environment of the Longtan Formation controls the shale mineral assemblage of the Longtan Formation and also influences the TOC content.

Carbonate sediments are susceptible to many factors, such as paleostructure, diagenesis, and strong microbial alteration; as such, their sedimentary architecture still calls for further research. In this study, the reef and shoal bodies in the XVm and XVp layers of the Middle–Upper Jurassic Karlov-Oxfordian in the S gas field were used as the object, and the architecture of the reef-shoal facies was studied. Based on the idea of “vertical grading and horizontal boundary”, the interface characteristics of the 6th to 4th levels of reef-shoal bodies in the study area were summarized, as were four ways to determine the boundaries of reef-shoal bodies. Based on the dense well network, we quantitatively described the scale of each small layer of single reef shoal body through the point-line-surface method and established a geological database of the reef shoal bodies in the study area. In addition, we established the width and thickness of the reef shoal body and the empirical formula for relationships. The study of morphological characteristics of reef-shoal bodies and the degree of overlap revealed six architecture models of reef-shoal bodies. The vertical and lateral superimposed reefs were obtained by evaluating the reservoir space, pore throat characteristics, and physical property characteristics corresponding to various architecture models. The vertical and lateral superimposed shoals corresponded to large reservoir thicknesses. The petrophysical properties were good, and we concluded that the reef-shoal superimposed area was a sweet spot for reservoir development. We applied the research results of reef-shoal architecture reservoir characteristics to gas field development, and therefore improved well pattern deployment in the reef-shoal superimposed area. By comparing the test results of newly deployed horizontal wells with adjacent vertical wells, we confirmed that the selection of horizontal wells was better for gas field development. This study on the architecture of reef-shoal facies could guide the study of carbonate rock architecture.

Shale reservoirs have emerged as a pivotal pillar of global unconventional hydrocarbon resources, driving a paradigm shift in the energy industry over the past two decades

The 5th sub-member in 5 Member Ordovician Majiagou Formation in Daniudi Gas Field, Ordos Basin, is deposited in an environment consisting of an ancient epicontinental sea, where very fine crystalline dolostone reservoir has developed. In this study, based on the petrological and geochemical characteristics, the genesis of the dolomite developed in M₅⁵ were studied by analyzing the properties and sources of the dolomitization fluids, and the influence of the paleogeomorphology differences on the distribution of dolostone was also discussed in order to clarify the distribution of the dolostone developed in the lime flat of the epicontinental sea. The dolostone of the M₅⁵ had a crystal structure, mainly including microcrystalline and very fine crystalline. The content of MgO and CaO in dolomite was negatively correlated, indicating that it was the result of replacement. The dolomite was dark red under cathode luminescence, and the distribution mode of rare earth elements showed the negative anomaly of Ce and Eu, indicating that the dolomitization fluid was sea-sourced fluid. The δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope range of limestone was similar to that of Ordovician seawater in the study area, whereas the δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of dolostone were obviously more positive than that of limestone. The substitute index of the salinity (Z) of the dolomitization fluid was higher than 122, which is higher than limestone (Z = 120.5), indicating that the dolomitization fluid was slightly evaporated seawater. The wormholes observed on the core and the gypsum in the penecontemporaneous period observed in the thin sections indicated that the dolostone was formed in a period when the sea level was relatively low, and it was the result of seepage–reflux dolomitization. By analyzing the correlation between the thickness of dolostone and the paleogeomorphology of the M₅⁵ of the sedimentary period, it was found that the thickness of dolostone at relatively high altitude was significantly larger than that of other areas. The development of dolostone was controlled by sea level, and the local paleogeomorphology controls the distribution of dolostone during the period of low sea level. There were many more limestone–dolostone cycles and larger cumulative thicknesses of dolostone at relatively higher topography. This study provides a theoretical basis for the prediction of the distribution of dolostone reservoirs in the carbonate tidal flat environment dominated by lime flats under the background of the ancient epicontinental sea.

The features and formation stages of natural fractures have significant influences on the fracturing of shale reservoirs and the accumulation of oil and gas. The characteristics and evolution of tectonic fractures in the Lianggaoshan Formation in Northeast Sichuan were investigated based on outcrops, drill cores, geochemical data, and acoustic emission test results. Our results demonstrated that the fracture types of the Lianggaoshan Formation were mainly low-degree bedding-slip fractures, followed by high-degree through-strata shear fractures and vertical tensile fractures. The influences of strike-slip faults on the fractures were stronger than those of thrust faults; fractures in thrust faults were concentrated in the hanging wall. The densities of tensile and shear fractures were inversely proportional to the formation thickness, while the density of interlayer slip fractures was independent of the formation thickness. The density of tectonic fractures was proportional to the quartz content. The fractures of the Lianggaoshan Formation were generated in three stages during uplift: (1) Late Yanshan–Early Himalayan tectonic movement (72~55 Ma), (2) Middle Himalayan tectonic movement (48~32 Ma), (3) Late Himalayan tectonic movement (15 Ma~4 Ma). Fractures greatly improve the oil and gas storage capacity and increase the contents of free and total hydrocarbons. At the same time, they also reduce the breakdown pressure of strata. This study facilitated the prediction of the fracture distribution and oil and gas reservoirs in the Lianggaoshan Formation and provided references for the selection of favourable areas for shale oil and the evaluation of desert sections in the study area.