Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5): 1554-1581.doi: 10.11743/ogg20250511

• Petroleum Geology • Previous Articles    

Pore and microfracture characteristics and shale oil exploration prospects of shale reservoirs in the 8th to 9th oil groups of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin

Jiaqi ZHANG1,2(), Jingzhou ZHAO1,3(), lei CAO1,3, Qingyuan YE2   

  1. 1.School of Earth Sciences and Engineering,Xi’an Shiyou University,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710065,China
    2.Shale Oil Development Branch,Changqing Oilfield Company,PetroChina,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710018,China
    3.Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Petroleum Accumulation Geology,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710065,China
  • Received:2025-06-30 Revised:2025-09-17 Online:2025-10-30 Published:2025-10-29
  • Contact: Jingzhou ZHAO E-mail:1061862954@qq.com;jzzhao@xsyu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Shales are well-developed in the 8th to 9th oil groups of the Triassic Yanchang Formation (also referred to as the Chang 8‒9 oil groups) in the Ordos Basin. However, their mineral composition and pore and microfracture characteristics, as well as the impacts of these factors on shale oil enrichment and mobility, remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we comprehensively investigate the shale reservoir characteristics and their controlling effects on shale oil in the Chang 8‒9 oil groups using data from a series of analyses and tests, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), CO₂ adsorption, low-temperature N2 adsorption, high-pressure mercury injection (HPMI), and geochemical analyses. The results indicate that the shales in the two oil groups exhibit three lithofacies: felsic clayey shales, clayey felsic shales, and clayey-felsic mixed shales. The Chang 8 oil group is dominated by felsic clayey shales and clayey felsic shales, while all the three lithofacies types are relatively well-developed in the Chang 9 oil group. A comprehensive assessment of pore and microfracture characteristics, fracability, and shale oil mobility reveals that clayey felsic shales are the most favorable lithofacies, followed sequentially by clayey-felsic mixed shales and felsic clayey shales. The shale reservoirs in the two oil groups contain organic pores, intercrystalline pores, intergranular pores, dissolution pores, and microfractures. There are distinct positive correlations between total organic carbon (TOC) content and the volumes of micropores and mesopores. Compared to the Chang 7 oil group, organic pores are less developed in the Chang 8‒9 oil groups. Microfractures are well-developed in both oil groups, primarily including bedding-parallel fractures induced by abnormally high-pressure from hydrocarbon generation, followed by pressure dissolution-induced bedding-parallel fractures and shrinkage fractures in organic matter. Key factors contributing to the development of pores and microfractures in the study area include high TOC content, high organic matter maturity, and high brittle mineral content. Specifically, high TOC content and high organic matter maturity promote the development of organic pores and the formation of bedding-parallel fractures induced by abnormally high-pressure from hydrocarbon generation. In contrast, carbonate cementation inhibits pore development and fills fractures with cements. A high clay mineral content favors micropore development but adversely affects mesopore and macropore growth. Primary factors controlling movable oil enrichment include TOC content (< 4%), organic matter maturity (vitrinite reflectance (Ro) > 1.2%), brittle mineral content (> 60%), and fracture density (> 1.6 × 10⁴/m). As the assessment criteria for shale oil sweet spots in the study area shown, type Ⅰ sweet spots should have oil saturation index (OSI) values of greater than 100 mg/g, possess the highest shale oil mobility and are primarily distributed in the Fuxian, Ganquan, and eastern Zhidan areas. These areas represent the most favorable shale oil enrichment regions, holding promising exploration prospects. In contrast, type Ⅱ sweet spots are characterized by OSI values ranging from 70 mg/g to 100 mg/g, and exhibit a moderate mobility, while type Ⅲ sweet spots, with OSI values below 70 mg/g, show the lowest mobility. The type Ⅲ shale oil predominates across the study area.

Key words: mobility, pore, fracture, reservoir features, shale oil, Chang 8 oil group, Chang 9 oil group, Ordos Basin

CLC Number: