Shale gas characteristics of organic-rich shale in Luofu Formation in Guizhong Depression

The characteristics of organic-rich shale in the Middle Devonian Luofu Formation in the Guizhong Depressionwere studied using whole rock and clay mineral X-ray diffraction, and organic geochemical analyses. The shale was deposited as a black mud shale, carbonaceous shale, siliceous shale and siliceous mud shale. The organic carbon content in the southern Luzhai is higher than 2.55%, and the highest value in the northwest of Heshan-Shanglin is above 3.0%. The organic matter is mainly mixed types I and Ⅱ₁, which showed a great hydrocarbon generation potential and a high thermal evolution degree. The analysis of shale gas enrichment factors indicated that the regions close to Nandan-Tian'e and Heshan were favorable for shale gas accumulation, which were exploration targets in the Middle Devonian Luofu Formation in the Guizhong Depression.