Pore structures of different types of shales and shale gas exploration of the Ordovician Wufeng and Silurian Longmaxi successions in the eastern Sichuan Basin, South China

Shales from Ordovician Wufeng and Silurian Longmaxi groups in the Sichuan Basin were analyzed by using the field emission-scanning electron microscopy, helium pycnometry, and low-pressure gas adsorption experiments. There are mainly three lithofacies in the studied shale reservoirs: clay-rich siliceous shale (S-3), argillaceous/ siliceous mixed shale (M-2), and silica-rich argillaceous shale lithofacies (CM-1). The organic-rich S-3 shales have the highest porosity (averaging 5.4%), the largest pore volume (averaging 0.024 mL/g), and the highest specific surface area (averaging 21.6m(2)/g). Organic matter (OM) pores contribute 62.6% to the porosity of S-3 shales. M-2 shales have the moderate pore structure with porosity averaging 4.3%, pore volume averaging 0.019 mL/g, and specific surface area averaging 16.7m(2)/g. Organic matter and clay minerals contribute 49.5% and 36.8% to the porosity of M-2 shales, respectively. The CM-1 shales have the lowest porosity (averaging 4.1%), the smallest pore volume (averaging 0.017 mL/g), and the lowest specific surface area (averaging 15.6m2/g). The organic-lean CM-1 shales are dominated by clay mineral pores. Clay minerals contribute 56% to the porosity of CM-1 shales. OM pores are well developed in the S-3 shale lithofacies, while most of OM pores are destroyed or compacted in CM-1 shale lithofacies. The effect of compaction on porosity of CM-1 shales is stronger than that of M-2 and S3 shales because of the highest clay minerals content and the lowest siliceous minerals content. Considering the pore spaces and hydraulic fracturing operation, the S-3 shales is more suitable to shale gas exploration than M-2 and CM-1 shales. Certainly, the M-2 and CM-1 shales also have certain amounts of hydrocarbon storage capacity, and could be considered as the candidate targets for shale gas exploitation.