1 Petroleum Exploration and Production Branch of Sinopec, Beijing 100728, China
2 Sinopec Jianghan Oilfield Company, Hubei Qianjiang 433124, China
3 Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Sinopec Jianghan Oilfield Company, Wuhan 430223, China
WANG Huijun,born in 1993,is a Ph.D. and engineer. She is mainly engaged in research on sedimentary reservoir. E-mail: 18062704718@163.com.
GAO Shanlin,born in 1966,is a Ph.D. and research professor. He is mainly engaged in analysis and exploration management of oil and gas basins. E-mail: gaoshanlin@sinopec.com.
The genetic type of siliceous minerals exerts differential controls on shale reservoir quality;however,current reservoir evaluation frameworks predominantly employ total quartz content as a proxy,neglecting the distinct reservoir effects associated with silica of different origins. This study systematically investigates the silica origin,genesis,and geological significance of Permian shales from the Wujiaping Formation Member 2(Wu-2 Member)and Maokou Formation Member 4(Mao-4 Member)in the Hongxing area,eastern Sichuan Basin,using an integrated approach combining scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy(SEM-EDS),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and major-trace element geochemistry. The key findings are as follows: (1)Both members contain detrital quartz and biogenic quartz-the latter encompassing structurally preserved(radiolarian fossils)and structurally recrystallized(microcrystalline quartz aggregates)varieties-while hydrothermal silica is absent. The Wu-2 Member is characterized by mixed detrital-biogenic silica(absolute detrital silica content: 21.7%;absolute biogenic silica content: 21.22%),whereas the Mao-4 Member is dominated by biogenic silica(absolute content 20.71%)with negligible detrital input(absolute content 3.34%).(2)Two contrasting silica enrichment models are proposed: a “superimposed enrichment model” for the Wu-2 Member,where deep-water shelf conditions sustained both substantial terrigenous supply and elevated bioproductivity;and a “carbonate dilution-controlled model” for the Mao-4 Member,where pervasive carbonate minerals accumulation overwhelmingly diluted siliceous components,passively elevating the relative proportion of biogenic silica.(3)Biogenic silica content serves as positive effects for evaluating organic matter enrichment,pore preservation,and reservoir fracability. Shifting the target window in the Hongxing area from carbon-rich,medium-silica lithofacies to carbon-rich,high-silica lithofacies increased daily test gas production from 11.67×104 m3 to 26.64×104 m3,demonstrating the pivotal role of biogenic silica content in engineering sweet-spot selection. A comprehensive evaluation framework integrating different genetic silica content and rock mechanical parameters is therefore recommended to guide precise layer selection and efficient development of Permian shale gas in the eastern Sichuan Basin.
GAO Shanlin,born in 1966,is a Ph.D. and research professor. He is mainly engaged in analysis and exploration management of oil and gas basins. E-mail: gaoshanlin@sinopec.com.
"}, bioImg=null, bioContent=
GAO Shanlin,born in 1966,is a Ph.D. and research professor. He is mainly engaged in analysis and exploration management of oil and gas basins. E-mail: gaoshanlin@sinopec.com.
页岩储集层强烈的非均质性是制约页岩油气富集规律和高效开发的核心要素,而这种非均质性源于其多样的沉积环境、复杂的矿物组成、差异化的成岩演化以及多期次的构造改造(Zhao et al., 2017a;何涛华等,2022;高山林等,2025)。硅质矿物是组成页岩的主要脆性矿物之一,其含量与分布直接影响到页岩的储集性能与压裂效果(Zhang et al., 2016;Yang et al., 2018;Dong et al., 2019),因此被视为页岩储集层品质评价的重要指标。然而,总硅质含量相同的页岩因成因背景的差异而表现出截然不同的储集层物性和含气性(Loucks and Ruppel,2007;Milliken et al., 2012),表明硅质的形成过程可能是控制储集层品质差异的重要因素。前人研究认为,硅质的形成过程与有机质富集和孔隙结构定型存在密切的联系(遇昊等,2012;易婷等,2020;杨雪等,2024;杜安业等,2026),进一步表明有必要从成因角度重新审视硅质矿物对页岩储集层的控制作用。
页岩中的硅质来源和成因类型具有显著的多样性,主要包括陆源碎屑输入、生物硅质沉积、黏土矿物成岩转化及热液成因(赵建华等,2016;Yang et al., 2018;He et al., 2020,2023;梁兴等,2025;Nie et al., 2025)。大量研究表明,不同成因类型的硅质与总有机碳(TOC)及孔隙发育之间的关系存在显著差异,且这一规律在海相和陆相页岩中具有一致性。在海相页岩中,生物硅通过提供有机质沉降载体和硅化封存等机制促进了有机质富集(Knapp et al., 2020),硅质矿物含量常与TOC呈正相关(Jin et al., 2018),与储集层的孔隙度及渗透率多呈正相关(王威等,2024;梁兴等,2025);在陆相页岩中同样如此,如松辽盆地青山口组、鄂尔多斯盆地延长组、准噶尔盆地风城组页岩中的自生硅质均与TOC含量和孔隙度呈正相关(白斌等,2022;雷海艳等,2022)。反之,当页岩中的硅质以陆源碎屑为主时,硅质含量与TOC含量及储集层物性的关系则表现为负相关或不相关,例如,四川盆地井研—资阳地区筇竹寺组海相页岩中的硅质主要为陆源长英质而非自生硅质,随着长英质含量减少,TOC含量反而呈增加趋势; 而在自生硅质占比较低的陆相页岩储集层中,总硅质含量与TOC含量同样呈负相关(刘国恒等,2019),与孔隙发育程度的相关性也因陆源碎屑占比、成岩阶段、地层压力等的不同而存在差异(Peltonen et al., 2009;Xin et al., 2025)。系统辨识硅质成因来源并厘清其对有机质富集、孔隙发育和可压裂性的差异化控制机理,是实现页岩气“甜点”精准评价和高效勘探开发的重要基础。
针对页岩中石英的形态和类型,通过薄片分析和氩离子抛光扫描电镜研究进行识别(Metwally and Chesnokov,2012)。本研究使用Leica偏光显微镜在不同放大倍数下分析页岩样品的矿物学特征,使用Helios NanoLab 650聚焦离子束扫描电镜和能谱探测器(EDS)进行高分辨率成像和元素分析。
页岩中的硅元素(Si)赋存于多种矿物中,包括石英、长石及黏土矿物等。其中,长石和黏土矿物属于铝硅酸盐矿物,其所含硅质与Al共生,来源明确(陆源碎屑)。石英(SiO2)作为页岩中最主要的纯硅质矿物,其来源既可为陆源碎屑输入,也可为生物硅质沉积或成岩转化,故硅质来源的判别是其成因解释的关键(Nie et al., 2021,2025)。因此,本研究综合运用扫描电镜(SEM)和能谱元素分析(EDS)技术,系统识别了吴二段和茅四段页岩中的石英类型及其组成。
3.2.1 碎屑石英
碎屑石英属于陆源组分,源自母岩风化剥蚀产物,经流水或风力搬运进入沉积盆地(Dong et al., 2019)。扫描电镜观察显示,碎屑石英颗粒呈次棱角—次圆状,部分颗粒表面发育不规则凹坑和裂纹,可能为搬运磨蚀或母岩破碎过程中形成的原始形态特征。EDS分析表明,碎屑石英主要由Si和O组成,Si/O原子比接近理论值,无明显杂质元素峰(图3-c,3-f),可以排除长石(含Al、K/Na/Ca)及黏土矿物的干扰。在研究区的2个目的层中,碎屑石英均有分布,但出现频率较低(图3-a,3-b,3-d,3-e),初步表明沉积期陆源碎屑供给有限。
3.2.2 生物成因石英
基于生物原生结构的保存程度,生物成因石英可进一步区分为结构保存型和结构改造型2个亚类(Sun et al., 2019)。结构保存型保留了硅质生物骨架的原始形态特征,而结构改造型则在成岩演化过程中经历了显著的溶解—再沉淀重结晶作用,呈现次生晶体结构。
Si与Al的交会图版是判别硅质来源的有效工具(Dong et al., 2019),样品位于伊利石Si/Al线之上表明含有过量硅,即存在生物硅的贡献,位于该线附近或以下则以碎屑硅为主。本研究同时投绘了川东地区五峰组—龙马溪组和北美Barnett页岩数据作为对比参照(Rowe et al.,2008;Dong et al., 2019)(图7)。
其中(Si/Al)背景值为3.11(Wedepohl,1971)。现代泥质沉积物中蒙脱石含量通常高于高岭石和伊利石,在埋藏成岩过程中,蒙脱石经伊利石化反应转变为伊利石,并释放游离SiO2。假设研究区伊利石全部由蒙脱石转化形成,成岩硅含量可基于蒙脱石—伊利石转化的化学计量关系估算(公式2;Yang et al., 2018)。生物硅含量通过从过量硅中扣除成岩转化硅(公式3)获得。
生物硅对有机质富集的促进作用体现在2个方面: 一是硅质浮游生物丰度直接指示古生产力水平(Zhao et al., 2017b);二是硅质生物骨骼为有机质沉降提供载体——放射虫与藻类共生富集有机碳,死亡后硅质骨骼携带共生藻类及吸附的有机质快速沉降至海底,降低了有机质在氧化环境中的滞留时间和分解损耗(Khan et al., 2019;Melim et al., 2023)。吴二段石英含量与TOC呈中等程度正相关(R2=0.51),茅四段石英含量与TOC相关性更强(R2=0.82)(图10)。
生物硅对页岩储集层孔隙保存具有重要促进作用。微晶石英在早期成岩阶段形成连续的刚性骨架,能够有效抵抗上覆地层的压实作用,从而保护有机质孔隙免受破坏(Zhao et al.,2017b;Dong et al., 2019;Peng et al., 2024)。SEM观察表明,在吴二段和茅四段样品中,微晶石英集合体与有机质紧密伴生,石英骨架内部及其与有机质接触带发育大量孔隙,形态完整,未见明显压实变形特征(图11)。刚性骨架形成越早,对孔隙保存的贡献越大(Nie et al., 2021)。需要指出的是,虽然所有类型的石英均具备抗压实能力,但碎屑石英以分散颗粒嵌布于基质中,缺乏连续搭接结构,既不能系统性地保护粒间孔隙,也难以为干酪根和残余油提供有效的赋存空间(Nie et al., 2025)。生物成因石英的骨架效应还促进了有机质孔隙的连通性,其含量与储集层储集能力呈正相关(Knapp et al., 2020;Nie et al., 2025)。吴二段碎屑硅含量虽高达21.7%,但这种分散格局决定了其无法替代生物硅骨架对孔隙的系统性保护作用。
生物硅对储集层可压裂性的增强作用显著优于碎屑石英。生物硅在成岩演化过程中经历蛋白石-A→蛋白石-CT→微晶石英的系列转化,形成由微晶石英颗粒相互搭接构成的连续胶结骨架结构(Jarvie et al., 2007)。这种刚性骨架提高了岩石的脆性指数和杨氏模量,降低了泊松比,使岩石在应力作用下更易产生脆性破裂并形成复杂缝网。相比之下,碎屑石英呈分散颗粒状分布,缺乏连续骨架结构,对岩石力学性质的改善效果有限。因此,生物硅含量是评价页岩储集层可压裂性的优选参数。
[BaoH Y, ZhaoS, WangB J, GuoZ F, LiuH T, ZhangL, ZhuZ F. 2024. Exploration breakthrough and main controlling factors for shale gas enrichment in the Permian Maokou Formation in Hongxing area in eastern Sichuan Basin. China Petroleum Exploration, 29(1): 65-75]
[DuA Y, YeY H, LiuS G, WangH, SongJ M, LiZ W, JinX, LiaoZ F, ZhangZ Y, YanC Q, MaX G. 2026. The siliceous genesis of Upper Permian Dalong Shale in eastern Sichuan and its coupling relationship with organic matter enrichment. Geological Review, 72(2): 375-394]
[GaoS L, GaoY Q, HeG S, GaoQ F, MaJ, YangR Q, CaiX. 2025. Tectonic controls on shale gas accumulation in the Sichuan Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 99(12): 4277-4294]
[HeT H, LiW H, YangE Q, LuS F, PanW Q, ZhangB S, YingJ F, ZhuP F, WangX Z. 2022. Coupled weathering-hydrothermal process and its geological significance during the Early Cambrian in the Tarim Basin. Journal of Northeast Petroleum University, 46(1): 47-61]
[LeiH Y, QiJ, ZhouN, ChenJ, MengY, ZhangX X, ChenR B. 2022. Genesis and petroleum significance of silica-rich shale in Fengcheng Formation of Well Maye-1,Mahu sag. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 43(6): 724-732]
[LiangX, ZhaoJ Z, ZhangH B, ZhangJ H, FanX D, LuoY F, JiangL W, ZhangL, XuY C, XuF Z. 2025. Characteristics and genesis mechanism of biogenic siliceous shale of the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations in Upper Yangtze Region: a case study of Zhaotong area in southern Sichuan Basin. Journal of Palaeogeography(Chinese Edition), 27(6): 1434-1451]
[WangH J, YangR, ShuZ G, DengM, LiuJ Y, HeT H. 2025. Quantitative evaluation of hydrocarbon generation,expulsion,and retention potential in deep Permian Wujiaping Formation shale gas reservoir,southeastern Sichuan Basin. Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology, 44(6): 96-109]
[WangW, LiuZ J, WeiF B, LiF. 2024. Characteristics and determinants of shale reservoir development in the Permian Dalong Formation,northeastern Sichuan Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 45(5): 1355-1367]
[YangX, TianH Y, YangY R, XuL, WangQ, ZhuS F, JiangZ X. 2024. Genetic mechanism of siliceous minerals in Permian marine shales in Northeast Sichuan. Journal of Shandong University of Science and Technology(Natural Science), 43(5): 35-43]
[YiT, ZhouW, YangF, ChenW L, ZhangH T, XuH, LiuR Y, ZhaoX, JiangK. 2020. Types and characteristics of quartzs in shale gas reservoirs of the Longmaxi Formation,Sichuan Basin,China. Acta Mineralogica Sinica, 40(2): 127-136]
[YuH, ChenD Z, WeiH Y, WangJ G. 2012. Origin of bedded chert and organic matter accumulation in the Dalong Formation of Upper Permian in western Hubei Province. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 28(3): 1017-1027]
[ZhaoJ H, JinZ J, JinZ K, WenX, GengY K, YanC N. 2016. The genesis of quartz in Wufeng-Longmaxi gas shales,Sichuan Basin. Natural Gas Geoscience, 27(2): 377-386]
[31]
DongT, HeS, ChenM F, HouY G, GuoX W, WeiC, HanY J, YangR. 2019. Quartz types and origins in the Paleozoic Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations,eastern Sichuan Basin,China: implications for porosity preservation in shale reservoirs. Marine and Petroleum Geology,106: 62-73.
[32]
DubininA V. 2004. Geochemistry of rare earth elements in the ocean. Lithology and Mineral Resources, 39(4): 289-307.
[33]
HeT H, LuS F, LiW H, SunD Q, PanW Q, ZhangB S, TanZ Z, YingJ F. 2020. Paleoweathering,hydrothermal activity and organic matter enrichment during the formation of earliest Cambrian black strata in the northwest Tarim Basin,China. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,189: 106987.
[34]
HeT H, ZengQ H, LuS F, LiW H, LiM Q, WenZ G, YangE Q, JingT T, YingJ F, ZhuP F, WangX Z, PanW Q, ZhangB S, ChenZ H. 2023. Aryl isoprenoids from the Lower Paleozoic in the Tarim Basin,NW China: insight into deep ancient hydrocarbon exploration. Geoenergy Science and Engineering,225: 211666.
[35]
JarvieD M, HillR J, RubleT E, PollastroR M. 2007. Unconventional shale-gas systems: the Mississippian Barnett Shale of north-central Texas as one model for thermogenic shale-gas assessment. AAPG Bulletin,91: 475-499.
[36]
JinZ J, NieH K, LiuQ Y, ZhaoJ H, JiangT. 2018. Source and seal coupling mechanism for shale gas enrichment in Middle Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin and its periphery. Marine and Petroleum Geology,97: 78-93.
[37]
KhanM Z, FengQ L, ZhangK, GuoW. 2019. Biogenic silica and organic carbon fluxes provide evidence of enhanced marine productivity in the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian of South China. Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology,534: 109278.
[38]
KnappL J, ArdakaniO H, UchidaS, NanjoT, OtomoC, HattoriT. 2020. The influence of rigid matrix minerals on organic porosity and pore size in shale reservoirs: Upper Devonian Duvernay Formation,Alberta,Canada. International Journal of Coal Geology,227: 103525.
[39]
LoucksR G, RuppelS C. 2007. Mississippian Barnett Shale: lithofacies and depositional setting of a deep-water shale-gas succession in the Fort Worth Basin,Texas. AAPG Bulletin,91: 579-601.
[40]
MelimL A, Mure-RavaudS R, HegnaT A, BellottB J, Lerosey-AubrilR. 2023. Silicification of trilobites and biofilm from the Cambrian Weeks Formation,Utah: evidence for microbial mediation of silicification. Geology, 51(1): 80-84.
[41]
MetwallyY M, ChesnokovE M. 2012. Clay mineral transformation as a major source for authigenic quartz in thermo-mature gas shale. Applied Clay Science,55: 138-150.
[42]
MillikenK L, EschW L, ReedR M, ZhangT W. 2012. Grain assemblages and strong diagenetic overprinting in siliceous mudrocks,Barnett Shale(Mississippian),Fort Worth Basin,Texas. AAPG Bulletin, 96(8): 1553-1578.
[43]
NieH K, HeZ L, LiuG X, DuW, WangR Y, ZhangG R. 2021. Genetic mechanism of high-quality shale gas reservoirs in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Fms in the Sichuan Basin. Natural Gas Industry B,8: 24-34.
[44]
NieH K, LiuQ Y, LiP, LiP, DingJ H, SunC X, ZhaiC B, ZhaoJ H, JinZ J, DangW. 2025. Quartz types,formation mechanism,and its effect on shale oil and gas enrichment: a review. Earth-Science Reviews,261: 105011.
[45]
PeltonenC, MarcussenØ, BjørlykkeK, JahrenJ. 2009. Clay mineral diagenesis and quartz cementation in mudstones: the effects of smectite to illite reaction on rock properties. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 26(6): 887-898.
[46]
PengJ W, HuZ Q, FengD J. 2024. Influence of quartz types on rock fabrics and bulk physical properties in organic-rich mudstone: a review. Earth-Science Reviews,249: 104670.
[47]
RoweH D, LoucksR G, RuppelS C, RimmerS M. 2008. Mississippian Barnett Formation,Fort Worth Basin,Texas: bulk geochemical inferences and Mo-TOC constraints on the severity of hydrographic restriction. Chemical Geology,257: 16-25.
[48]
SunC X, NieH K, LiuG X, ZhangG R, DuW, WangR Y. 2019. Quartz type and its control on shale gas enrichment and production: a case study of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas,China. Earth Science, 44(11): 3692-3704.
[49]
WangH J, ShuZ G, HeT H, HeJ Y, ZhouY Z. 2025. Influence of volcanic ash on organic matter enrichment in the Late Permian wuchiaping formation,eastern Sichuan Basin: multiproxy evidence and implications for shale gas exploration. ACS Omega, 10(31): 35043-35056.
[50]
WedepohlK H. 1971. Environmental influences on the chemical composition of shales and clays. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth,8: 307-333.
[51]
XinB X, HaoF, TianJ Q, GuoP F, XuQ L, HanW Z. 2025. Shale oil occurrence and mobility mechanisms in brittle mineral-enriched reservoirs: insights from the Paleogene Kongdian Formation,Bohai Bay Basin. Geoscience Frontiers,16: 102149.
[52]
YamamotoK. 1987. Geochemical characteristics and depositional environments of cherts and associated rocks in the Franciscan and Shimanto Terranes. Sedimentary Geology,52: 65-108.
[53]
YangX R, YanD T, WeiX S, ZhangL W, ZhangB, XuH W, GongY, HeJ. 2018. Different formation mechanism of quartz in siliceous and argillaceous shales: a case study of Longmaxi Formation in South China. Marine and Petroleum Geology,94: 80-94.
[54]
ZhangD C, RanjithP G, PereraM S A. 2016. The brittleness indices used in rock mechanics and their application in shale hydraulic fracturing: a review. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,143: 158-170.
[55]
ZhaoJ H, JinZ J, JinZ K, HuQ H, HuZ Q, DuW, YanC N, GengY K. 2017a. Mineral types and organic matters of the Ordovician-Silurian Wufeng and Longmaxi Shale in the Sichuan Basin,China: implications for pore systems,diagenetic pathways,and reservoir quality in fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Marine and Petroleum Geology,86: 655-674.
[56]
ZhaoJ H, JinZ K, JinZ J, WenX, GengY K. 2017b. Origin of authigenic quartz in organic-rich shales of the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations in the Sichuan Basin,South China: implications for pore evolution. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering,38: 21-38.