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Volume 1, Issue 1, Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025
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Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025: 32-45

Open Access | Research Article | 31 August 2025
Geological Characteristics and Three-Dimensional Development Potential of Deep Shale Gas in the Luzhou Area, Southern Sichuan Basin, China
1 Institute of Geological Exploration and Development of CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited, Chengdu 610051, China
2 Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Yibin 644000, China
3 State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
* Corresponding Author: Hu Li, [email protected]
Received: 10 August 2025, Accepted: 22 August 2025, Published: 31 August 2025  
Abstract
Deep shale sedimentary environment, diagenesis, and pore evolution are closely related to the occurrence state and content of shale gas, exerting significant control on reservoir quality. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mineral composition, spectral gamma-ray logging, elemental logging, and comprehensive well log data were used to analyze the sedimentary environment. Combined with pore structure and storage space experiments, the geological conditions for deep shale gas accumulation were discussed. The Longmaxi Formation high-quality shale reservoirs in southern Sichuan (Luzhou area) are laterally extensive, vertically thick, and contain well-developed natural fractures; thus, reasonable well pattern deployment is crucial to avoid casing deformation, mitigate fracture interference, and improve productivity. Results show that shale gas enrichment and accumulation are controlled by four main factors: (1) Deep-water anoxic deposition enriching organic matter ("source control"), (2) Source–reservoir coupling controlling accumulation, (3) Temperature–pressure coupling controlling gas content, and (4) Faults controlling preservation. Based on static reservoir characteristics and production dynamics, a three-dimensional inter-well development model was established. Horizontal well spacing is 300--400 m, vertically targeting two layers (Long 1-11 and upper Long 1-13 sublayers) with staggered hydraulic fracturing and phased production. Field statistics show that this multi-layer phased scheme reduces engineering problems, lowers casing deformation incidence, and increases average EUR per 1000 m by about 10% compared with conventional single-layer deployment.

Graphical Abstract
Geological Characteristics and Three-Dimensional Development Potential of Deep Shale Gas in the Luzhou Area, Southern Sichuan Basin, China

Keywords
deep shale
exploration potential
sedimentary environment
accumulation conditions
Luzhou area

Data Availability Statement
Data will be made available on request.

Funding
This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 42102167 and the Science and Technology Cooperation Project of the CNPC-SWPU Innovation Alliance under Grant 2020CX020000; in part by the State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation under Grant CDUT-PLC2025011 and Grant PLN2023-31.

Conflicts of Interest
Jing Li, Tingting Huang, Xin Gong, Zhi Gao and Ang Luo are employees of Institute of Geological Exploration and Development of CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited, Chengdu 610051, China.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.

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Cite This Article
APA Style
Li, J., Huang, T., Li, H., Gong, X., Gao, Z., & Luo, A. (2025). Geological Characteristics and Three-Dimensional Development Potential of Deep Shale Gas in the Luzhou Area, Southern Sichuan Basin, China. Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, 1(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.62762/JGEE.2025.600070

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