Chen S R, Wang X, Wang L J, et al.The Triassic Shipao Formation in the Youjiang Basin： A preliminary study on the potential of a new shale gas formation in South China[J].Journal of Henan Polytechnic University(Natural Science) ,2026,45(6):62-71.

doi:10.16186/j.cnki.1673-9787.2025020011

Received:2025/02/11

Revised:2025/04/24

Published:2026/10/09

The Triassic Shipao Formation in the Youjiang Basin： A preliminary study on the potential of a new shale gas formation in South China

Chen Shangren1, Wang Xiang1, Wang Laijun1, Huang Wenfang1, Cen Wenpan1,2, Qin Yinglun3,4, Luo Yujie1, Chen Jiyu1, Zhang Jingxian1, Lu Wenshi3

1.Guangxi Institute of Geological Survey， Nanning  530031， Guangxi， China；2.Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources of the Ministry of Education， China University of Geosciences （Wuhan）， Wuhan  430074， Hubei， China；3.Guangxi Energy Group Co.， Ltd.， Nanning  530031， Guangxi， China；4.School of Earth Sciences， China University of Petroleum （Beijing）， Beijing  102299， China

Abstract: Objectives To investigate the geological conditions for shale gas enrichment in the Triassic Shipao Formation of the Youjiang Basin as a new area and new stratum， and to evaluate its shale gas exploration potential. Methods Based on field investigations， the shale gas enrichment potential of the Shipao Formation was systematically evaluated using whole-rock X-ray diffraction， scanning electron microscopy （SEM）， and methane isothermal adsorption experiments， combined with comparative analyses of typical shale gas blocks in China and abroad.  Results The results show that： （1） platform-basin facies are conducive to organic matter enrichment， and the thickness of organic-rich shale in the sedimentary center generally ranges from 50 to 120 m； （2） total organic carbon （TOC） content ranges from 0.21% to 12.30% （average： 1.52%）， with organic matter predominantly of types I-II， in the over-mature stage； （3） the reservoir is dominated by inorganic pores， mainly represented by mineral dissolution pores， which provide more space for free gas occurrence； （4） multi-stage tectonic movements have significantly affected the preservation of shale gas. However， areas where the residual Triassic thickness is relatively large and burial depth is moderate still have relatively good preservation conditions.  Conclusions The sedimentary-tectonic setting of the Shipao Formation shale in the Youjiang Basin is relatively complex. Nevertheless， it has the advantages of large thickness of organic-rich shale， high brittle mineral content， and good adsorption performance， making it a favorable region for shale gas exploration.

Key words: new zone; new stratification; shale gas; Youjiang Basin; enrichment conditions