The shale characteristics and shale gas exploration prospects of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi shale, Sichuan Basin, South China

The Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is a key target for shale-gas exploration in South China and comprises organic-rich black shale unit deposited in an anoxic deep-water setting. Mineral components are dominated by quartz and clay minerals with minor amounts of plagioclase, potassium feldspar, calcite and pyrite. The brittle mineral content ranges from 45% to 80% by weight (average: 62.5 wt. %). Organic geochemical analyses (TOC, organic...