Review Article

Lower Cambrian Organic-Rich Shales in Southern China: A Review of Gas-Bearing Property, Pore Structure, and Their Controlling Factors

Table 2

Gas-bearing characteristics of the Lower Cambrian shales in the southern China (see Figure 2 for well locations).

RegionsWellFormationGas content (m3/t)
Range/Average
Average content of CH4 (%)Average content of N2 (%)References

Sichuan BasinW201Qiongzhusi Fm.1.10-3.51/2.0195nd[96, 105, 106]
JS1Qiongzhusi Fm.1.51-2.41/1.80>90<10
JY1Qiongzhusi Fm.1.02-4.68/2.03

Western Hubei areaYY1Shuijingtuo Fm.0.58-5.48/2.05908[98]
EYY1Shuijingtuo Fm.0.32-4.48/2.30>90<10
YD4Shuijingtuo Fm.0.50-3.13/1.54
ZD2Shuijingtuo Fm.0.23-4.45/2.15

Chongqing areaYC1Niutitang Fm.0.03-1.12/0.221684[97]
YY1Niutitang Fm.0.01-0.16/0.03197
CY1Shuijingtuo Fm.0-1.23/0.65>90<10[107]
C1Shuijingtuo Fm.0.05-3.18/1.17>90<10[55]

Northwestern Hunan areaCY1Niutitang Fm.0.03-2.10/1.02972[21, 79]
CY-1Niutitang Fm.0.33-0.958020[97]
HY1Niutitang Fm.0.10-0.29/0.021384
BY2Niutitang Fm.0.11-0.71991[79]

Northern Guizhou areaCY1Niutitang Fm.0.30-1.80>95nd[23, 92]
TX1Niutitang Fm.1.10-2.888016
YM1Niutitang Fm.0.10-0.40nd>90
HD1Niutitang Fm.0.09-1.31/0.42<30nd
HY1Niutitang Fm.0.32-2.00/1.50>85nd[106, 108]
FC1Niutitang Fm.0.40-3.50845[79]

Southern Anhui areaXY1Hetang Fm.0-1.30/0.94<0.08nd[24, 109]
WY1Hetang Fm.0-0.15ndnd

Note: “nd” means not detected; CY-1 means Ciye1 Well, while CY1 means Changye1 Well in northwestern Hunan area.