The structural evolution and sedimentary differentiation of the Sichuan Basin in China are complex, with intricate reservoir pore structures that significantly impact shale gas production. This study examines the complexity and heterogeneity of the microscopic pore structures in the deep marine shale reservoir in the Longmaxi Formation. Pore structure characterization techniques are used to compare deep and shallow–medium marine shales, and siliceous and silty shales. The results reveal the factors influencing pore structure and their impact on exploration and development. The key points are as follows: (1) The pore structure of deep siliceous shale is the most complex due to its diverse range of pore development patterns, pore types, and sizes. (2) The box dimension of full pore size is about 1.52 for deep marine shale and 1.46 for shallow–medium shale. Organic matter (OM) content, the degree of pore development, and inorganic mineral content all correlate positively with the complexity of the pore structure in deep marine shale, which affects the formation of high-quality reservoirs. (3) Lateral heterogeneity of pore structures shows strong regional variations in the study area. Heterogeneity is more pronounced in the deep marine shale than in the medium and shallow shale formations. OM mesopores significantly influence the overall heterogeneity of the shale pore system. The deep marine shale reservoir is situated in an area with strong regional variations. The pore structure of high-quality reservoirs is more complex than those of shallow–medium marine shales, displaying notable heterogeneity. Pore structures with fractal dimension values close to that of the shallow–medium formations (box dimensions within 1.5) offer promising targets for the exploration and development of deep marine shale gas.

Shale in the Wufeng Formation of the upper Ordovician and Longmaxi Formation of lower Silurian in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding area is widespread. Shale gas resources are abundant. Shale gas in the Wufeng Formation and the Longmaxi Formation in the basin has been a major breakthrough. The basin margin transition zone in southeastern Chongqing is in an intense tectonic activity area, which is more complicated and special than the stable stratum in the basin. Therefore, it is necessary to put forward higher requirements for preservation conditions and enrichment pattern evaluation of shale gas. Therefore, in view of the complicated structural pattern of the basin margin transition zone in southeastern Chongqing, the preservation conditions and reservoir forming patterns are analyzed through structural evolution, uplift and denudation, fault development, structural styles, roof and floor conditions, and formation pressure. The results show that the main reason for the formation of normal pressure is the late uplift, denudation and fault development. The pressure coefficient from the basin to the outer layer is changed from overpressure to normal pressure, and structural transformation forms the preservation form of shale gas with narrow and steep residual anticline, wide residual syncline and residual slope. The preservation condition evaluation of normal shale gas should be based on structural factors such as structural evolution, structural style, uplift and denudation degree and fault development degree, with formation pressure coefficient as reference condition, combined with material basic conditions such as roof and floor conditions and formation thickness. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of the “sweet spot” prediction of normal pressure shale gas in complex structural area.