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Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 110, No. 1 (January 2026), P. 25-49.

Copyright ©2026. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1306/10212524114

Organic pore preservation in marine organic-rich shales of southern China: Insights from pore fluid pressure evolution

Tao Luo,1 Xiaowen Guo,2 Zhiliang He,3 Zhihui Xiao,4 Jian-xin Zhao,5 Tian Dong,6 Rui Yang,7 and Ze Tao8

1Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China; [email protected]
2Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China; [email protected]
3Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China; [email protected]
4Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China; [email protected]
5Radiogenic Isotope Facility, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; [email protected]
6Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China; [email protected]
7Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China; [email protected]
8College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, China; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Marine organic-rich shales in southern China maintained Previous HitoverpressureNext Hit conditions caused by hydrocarbon thermal cracking during the deep-burial stage and gas leakage during the period of tectonic uplift, accompanied by organic pore development and preservation. Presently, there is no comprehensive framework for revealing the preservation of organic pores in shale reservoirs. In this study, multiple approaches, including CO2 and N2 adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, fluid inclusion microthermometry, laser Raman spectroscopy, and thermodynamic modeling, were used to quantitatively evaluate organic pores and investigate pore fluid pressure evolution in the Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation shale reservoir in the eastern Sichuan Basin. Measured results show that organic micropores in shale samples from three wells at different structural units have similar values of volume and specific surface area. Organic mesopore volume accounts for 40% to 70% of the organic pore volume. The degree of organic mesopores development in wells JYA, JYB, and JYC is proportional to the pressure coefficients (Pc) with shale reservoirs. Pore fluid pressure evolution within shale reservoirs can be divided into two stages: 160–85 Ma and 85 Ma to present day. Previous HitOverpressureNext Hit was generated in shale pores during the first stage, with Pc increasing from 1.57 to 2.2, and the Previous HitoverpressureNext Hit protected most of the organic pores from compaction. The second stage was characterized as the reduction and dissipation of Previous HitoverpressureNext Hit during the Yanshanian and Himalayan Orogenies. By comparing the closed-system modeling of Previous HitoverpressureNext Hit and pore fluid evolution across different structural zones, this study demonstrates the possible increase in Previous HitoverpressureNext Hit and decrease in organic pore volume during the Yanshanian Orogeny. In intensely tectonically active zones, the development of faults and fractures can lead to Previous HitoverpressureNext Hit dissipation within shale reservoirs, resulting in poor organic mesopore preservation and low hydraulic fracturing productivity during the Himalayan Orogeny. Conversely, in weakly tectonically active zones, the shale reservoir maintained an overpressured state during the Himalayan uplift, with large-diameter and high-roundness organic mesopores preservation, indicating that Previous HitoverpressureTop during uplift can provide important preservation for organic mesopores. This contribution provides greater insight into organic pore preservation and shale gas enrichment in other tectonic settings around the world.

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