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Nanopore Structure Evolution of Lower Cambrian Shale in the Western Hubei Area, Southern China, and its Geological Implications based on Thermal Simulation Experimental Results

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Abstract

The nanopore structure and evolution of shale reservoirs have been a research hotspot because they have important impacts on the storage of shale gas. In this paper, thermal simulation experiments were carried out on a Lower Cambrian shale with high maturity taken from the western Hubei area, southern China, to obtain a suite of sub-samples with different maturities. The results show that within the EqRo (equivalent vitrinite reflectance) range of 2.96–4.36%, the specific surface areas of OM (organic matter) and IM (inorganic matter) nanopores in the shale increased at first and then decreased, reaching maximum at 3.64% EqRo. As EqRo > 3.64%, the pore volume of OM decreased significantly, while the pore volume of IM showed an increase. The specific surface area and volume of OM pore increased first and then decreased with increase in CH4 yield, indicating that the thermal evolution and methanogenesis of OM were not always conducive to the development of pore structure, and the late graphitization (EqRo > 3.64%) may be the main mechanism for the destruction of the OM pore structure. The continuous increase of IM pore volume was attributed mainly to the decomposition of minerals such as illite and calcite, which formed pore spaces. The effective maturity range of the Lower Cambrian shale gas in the western Hubei area can reach to EqRo of 3.64%, which is an important guide to the exploration and development of shale gas in this area.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to associate editor and three anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions that have greatly improved the manuscript. This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos. 42030804, U1810201, and U19B6003-03-01].

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  1. School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Gang Li, Xianming Xiao, Yue Feng, Chengang Lu & Guangming Meng

  2. State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Haifeng Gai

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  1. Gang Li
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Li, G., Xiao, X., Gai, H. et al. Nanopore Structure Evolution of Lower Cambrian Shale in the Western Hubei Area, Southern China, and its Geological Implications based on Thermal Simulation Experimental Results. Nat Resour Res 32, 731–754 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-022-10149-1

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