Reservoir Characteristics and Exploration Potential Evaluation of Lower Cambrian Niutitang Shale in Northern Guizhou: A Case Study of Well QX1

The Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the Northern Guizhou harbors abundant organic-rich mud shale, constituting the most significant marine shale gas reservoir in Guizhou. In this article, the reservoir characteristics of Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in Northern Guizhou are analyzed in terms of lithology, mineralogy, organic geochemistry, pore structure, gas content and continuous thickness of shale, and the exploration potential of shale gas in this area is evaluated. The results indicate that the content of brittle minerals in the shale of well QX1 is 65.29% to 95.22% (average of 82.10%). The total organic carbon (TOC) content ranges from 2.06% to 12.10% (average of 5.64%). The organic matter maturity (Ro) within the range of 2.29–2.67%, and the kerogen type is identified as type I. The shale samples from the Niutitang Formation have high TOC content, suitable thermal maturity, and a favorable kerogen type, suggesting good gas generation potential. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that intergranular pores, intragranular pores and microfractures are developed in the shale of well QX1, which can provide sufficient storage space for shale gas. The shale exhibits a continuous thickness of 105.66 m in the QX1 well, comprising a gas-bearing interval of 32.89 m at the top (with an effective continuous thickness of 18 m) and a hydrocarbon source rock layer of 75.78 m at the bottom. In comparison with other shale gas regions, Niutitang Formation shale in Northern Guizhou exhibits characteristics such as favorable gas generation conditions, greater storage conditions, excellent gas-bearing, strong frackability, and substantial continuous thickness, it has greater potential for shale gas exploration.