Evaluation of Structural Preservation Conditions for Shale Gas in Relict Syncline: A Case Study of Devonian-Carboniferous Strata in the Guizhou-Guangxi Area

Lingying Huang; Yifan Gu; Yuqiang Jiang

doi:10.62762/JGEE.2026.303617

Article Information

Published in Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment

Volume/Issue Volume 2, Issue 4, 2026

Pages 244-264

Abstract

This study investigates the key factors controlling marine shale gas preservation in Devonian–Carboniferous strata, focusing on four representative synclines in the Nanpanjiang Basin and the northern margin of the Guizhong Depression: Langdai, Xinzhai, West Yizhou, and North Yizhou. Through tectonic characterization and balanced cross-section restoration, we clarify the effects of structural style, tectonic deformation intensity, and fault properties on shale gas preservation. Wide-gentle bidirectional thrust synclines (Xinzhai and West Yizhou) offer the most favorable preservation conditions, followed by the wide-gentle unidirectional thrust syncline (Langdai); the wide-gentle nappe-type thrust monocline (North Yizhou) is least favorable. The Yanshanian Period dominates tectonic shortening in three synclines, while the Indosinian Period is primary for North Yizhou. The Langdai area exhibits lower tectonic shortening rates (13.24% and 12.49% for Langdai and Xinzhai, respectively) and thinner denudation (1500–1800~m) than the Guizhong area (2500–5000~m), both conducive to preservation. Compressional reverse faults predominate throughout, enhancing lateral sealing. Quantitative evaluation identifies Type~I favorable zones within the Xinzhai and Langdai synclinal cores, whereas Middle Devonian strata in West Yizhou and North Yizhou are classified as Type~III owing to fault disruption and denudation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for shale gas exploration in the structurally complex Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi region.

Graphical Abstract

Evaluation of Structural Preservation Conditions for Shale Gas in Relict Syncline: A Case Study of Devonian-Carboniferous Strata in the Guizhou-Guangxi Area

Keywords

shale gas preservation syncline structural model tectonic shortening rate Nanpanjiang Basin Guizhong depression

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 42272171.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

AI Use Statement

The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

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Huang, L., Gu, Y., & Jiang, Y. (2026). Evaluation of Structural Preservation Conditions for Shale Gas in Relict Syncline: A Case Study of Devonian-Carboniferous Strata in the Guizhou-Guangxi Area. Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, 2(4), 244-264. https://doi.org/10.62762/JGEE.2026.303617

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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Huang, Lingying
AU  - Gu, Yifan
AU  - Jiang, Yuqiang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/09
TI  - Evaluation of Structural Preservation Conditions for Shale Gas in Relict Syncline: A Case Study of Devonian-Carboniferous Strata in the Guizhou-Guangxi Area
JO  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
T2  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
JF  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
SP  - 244
EP  - 264
DO  - 10.62762/JGEE.2026.303617
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.303617
KW  - shale gas preservation
KW  - syncline structural model
KW  - tectonic shortening rate
KW  - Nanpanjiang Basin
KW  - Guizhong depression
AB  - This study investigates the key factors controlling marine shale gas preservation in Devonian–Carboniferous strata, focusing on four representative synclines in the Nanpanjiang Basin and the northern margin of the Guizhong Depression: Langdai, Xinzhai, West Yizhou, and North Yizhou. Through tectonic characterization and balanced cross-section restoration, we clarify the effects of structural style, tectonic deformation intensity, and fault properties on shale gas preservation. Wide-gentle bidirectional thrust synclines (Xinzhai and West Yizhou) offer the most favorable preservation conditions, followed by the wide-gentle unidirectional thrust syncline (Langdai); the wide-gentle nappe-type thrust monocline (North Yizhou) is least favorable. The Yanshanian Period dominates tectonic shortening in three synclines, while the Indosinian Period is primary for North Yizhou. The Langdai area exhibits lower tectonic shortening rates (13.24% and 12.49% for Langdai and Xinzhai, respectively) and thinner denudation (1500–1800~m) than the Guizhong area (2500–5000~m), both conducive to preservation. Compressional reverse faults predominate throughout, enhancing lateral sealing. Quantitative evaluation identifies Type~I favorable zones within the Xinzhai and Langdai synclinal cores, whereas Middle Devonian strata in West Yizhou and North Yizhou are classified as Type~III owing to fault disruption and denudation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for shale gas exploration in the structurally complex Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi region.
SN  - 3069-3268
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  -

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@article{Huang2026Evaluation,
  author = {Lingying Huang and Yifan Gu and Yuqiang Jiang},
  title = {Evaluation of Structural Preservation Conditions for Shale Gas in Relict Syncline: A Case Study of Devonian-Carboniferous Strata in the Guizhou-Guangxi Area},
  journal = {Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {4},
  pages = {244-264},
  doi = {10.62762/JGEE.2026.303617},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.303617},
  abstract = {This study investigates the key factors controlling marine shale gas preservation in Devonian–Carboniferous strata, focusing on four representative synclines in the Nanpanjiang Basin and the northern margin of the Guizhong Depression: Langdai, Xinzhai, West Yizhou, and North Yizhou. Through tectonic characterization and balanced cross-section restoration, we clarify the effects of structural style, tectonic deformation intensity, and fault properties on shale gas preservation. Wide-gentle bidirectional thrust synclines (Xinzhai and West Yizhou) offer the most favorable preservation conditions, followed by the wide-gentle unidirectional thrust syncline (Langdai); the wide-gentle nappe-type thrust monocline (North Yizhou) is least favorable. The Yanshanian Period dominates tectonic shortening in three synclines, while the Indosinian Period is primary for North Yizhou. The Langdai area exhibits lower tectonic shortening rates (13.24\% and 12.49\% for Langdai and Xinzhai, respectively) and thinner denudation (1500–1800~m) than the Guizhong area (2500–5000~m), both conducive to preservation. Compressional reverse faults predominate throughout, enhancing lateral sealing. Quantitative evaluation identifies Type~I favorable zones within the Xinzhai and Langdai synclinal cores, whereas Middle Devonian strata in West Yizhou and North Yizhou are classified as Type~III owing to fault disruption and denudation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for shale gas exploration in the structurally complex Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi region.},
  keywords = {shale gas preservation, syncline structural model, tectonic shortening rate, Nanpanjiang Basin, Guizhong depression},
  issn = {3069-3268},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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