AUTHOR=Xie Guogen , Xie Guoliang , Jiao Kun TITLE=Multi-fractal characteristics of pore system in deep organic-rich shales of the Wufeng-Longmaxi formation in the Sichuan Basin and their geological significance JOURNAL=Frontiers in Earth Science VOLUME=12 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/earth-science/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1430466 DOI=10.3389/feart.2024.1430466 ISSN=2296-6463 ABSTRACT=

The heterogeneity of pore system of deep shale reservoir determines the occurrence, enrichment and migration behavior of shale gas within shales. In this study, multi-fractal analysis was applied to analyze CO2 and N2 adsorption data for obtaining multi-fractal parameters including Hurst index and multi-fractal spectrum (D5--D5+) of the deep Wufeng-Longmaxi shales collected from the Sichuan Basin, China, in order to study the connectivity and heterogeneity of micropore pores and meso-macropores as well as their influencing factors. The results showed that pore system of the Wufeng-Longmaxi deep shale exhibits distinct multifractal nature. There exists significant differences in the pore volume (PV) of micropores (<2 nm), mesopore (2–50 nm), and macropore (>50 nm) across different shale lithofacies due to their differences in TOC content and mineral composition. The heterogeneity and connectivity of micropores and meso-macropores within deep shales in the Sichuan Basin are controlled by multiple factors including shale lithofacies, burial depth, and pressure coefficients. Notably, siliceous shale (SL) and calcareous/argillaecous siliceous shale (C/ASL), known as sweet spot for current shale gas exploitation, exhibits characteristics such as relative low micropore connectivity, high micropore heterogeneity, high micropore PV and low meso-macropore connectivity. These suggest that isolated pressure-sealing compartment is easier formed within the overpressured SL and C/ASL. Thus, pressure in these shales is less likely to release during the Yanshanian-Xishanian tectonic uplift process, favoring the preservation of organic matter (OM) pores and residual interparticle pores, which is conducive to the accumulation of deep shale gas dominated by free gas.