The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation

Unlike other lacustrine shale formations in which carbonate and siliceous interlayers are intercalated, the Dongyuemiao shale is different due to its abundant shell laminae and interlayers. Due to the lack of studies on shell laminae and interlayers, their influence on oil accumulation is still uncl...

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Main Authors: Hanyong Bao, Yi Shu, Qiming Wang, Youheng Zheng, Miankun Chen, Yongchao Lu, Haotian Liu, Wei Peng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1590482/full
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author Hanyong Bao
Yi Shu
Qiming Wang
Youheng Zheng
Miankun Chen
Yongchao Lu
Haotian Liu
Wei Peng
author_facet Hanyong Bao
Yi Shu
Qiming Wang
Youheng Zheng
Miankun Chen
Yongchao Lu
Haotian Liu
Wei Peng
author_sort Hanyong Bao
collection DOAJ
description Unlike other lacustrine shale formations in which carbonate and siliceous interlayers are intercalated, the Dongyuemiao shale is different due to its abundant shell laminae and interlayers. Due to the lack of studies on shell laminae and interlayers, their influence on oil accumulation is still unclear. This study integrated total organic carbonand X-ray diffractiondata, core and thin section observations, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, major and trace element data, and helium porosimetry to investigate the depositional environment and porosity structure of shell interlayers in the shale in the first member of the Dongyuemiao shale (Dong-1 member) and their impact on petroleum accumulation. Results show that Dong-1 member was deposited in a sub-lacustrine fan, and shells and shell fragments were transported by gravity flow. Shells and shell fragments were transported and broken up to under different hydrodynamic conditions, and formed laminae, interlayers, and thick interlayers of shell fragments. In the shell laminae (≤1 cm) and thin interlayers (1-10 cm), micro-scale dissolution pores and microfractures formed in the shell clasts can effectively connect the dissolution pores and black shale matrix. The thick shell interlayers (≥10 cm) lack porosity networks and prevent petroleum migration. The shell laminae and thin interlayers are the storage space and pathway for petroleum storage and migration, while the thick shell layers are seals that prevent petroleum leakage. This integrated study of a shell-rich shale can provide a reference for petroleum exploration and quantitative evaluation of the resources.
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spelling doaj-art-10fd63f7ac9341c4a194790e60c0cd642025-08-20T02:40:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-07-011310.3389/feart.2025.15904821590482The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulationHanyong Bao0Yi Shu1Qiming Wang2Youheng Zheng3Miankun Chen4Yongchao Lu5Haotian Liu6Wei Peng7Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Jianghan Oilfield Branch Company, Sinopec, Wuhan, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Jianghan Oilfield Branch Company, Sinopec, Wuhan, ChinaSchool of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Jianghan Oilfield Branch Company, Sinopec, Wuhan, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Jianghan Oilfield Branch Company, Sinopec, Wuhan, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Jianghan Oilfield Branch Company, Sinopec, Wuhan, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Jianghan Oilfield Branch Company, Sinopec, Wuhan, ChinaUnlike other lacustrine shale formations in which carbonate and siliceous interlayers are intercalated, the Dongyuemiao shale is different due to its abundant shell laminae and interlayers. Due to the lack of studies on shell laminae and interlayers, their influence on oil accumulation is still unclear. This study integrated total organic carbonand X-ray diffractiondata, core and thin section observations, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, major and trace element data, and helium porosimetry to investigate the depositional environment and porosity structure of shell interlayers in the shale in the first member of the Dongyuemiao shale (Dong-1 member) and their impact on petroleum accumulation. Results show that Dong-1 member was deposited in a sub-lacustrine fan, and shells and shell fragments were transported by gravity flow. Shells and shell fragments were transported and broken up to under different hydrodynamic conditions, and formed laminae, interlayers, and thick interlayers of shell fragments. In the shell laminae (≤1 cm) and thin interlayers (1-10 cm), micro-scale dissolution pores and microfractures formed in the shell clasts can effectively connect the dissolution pores and black shale matrix. The thick shell interlayers (≥10 cm) lack porosity networks and prevent petroleum migration. The shell laminae and thin interlayers are the storage space and pathway for petroleum storage and migration, while the thick shell layers are seals that prevent petroleum leakage. This integrated study of a shell-rich shale can provide a reference for petroleum exploration and quantitative evaluation of the resources.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1590482/fullshell laminae and interlayersedimentary environmentpore structurepetroleum accumulationDongyuemiao shale
spellingShingle Hanyong Bao
Yi Shu
Qiming Wang
Youheng Zheng
Miankun Chen
Yongchao Lu
Haotian Liu
Wei Peng
The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation
Frontiers in Earth Science
shell laminae and interlayer
sedimentary environment
pore structure
petroleum accumulation
Dongyuemiao shale
title The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation
title_full The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation
title_fullStr The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation
title_full_unstemmed The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation
title_short The origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation
title_sort origin and depositional processes of shell layers in the jurassic ziliujing formation in the sichuan basin and their influences on petroleum accumulation
topic shell laminae and interlayer
sedimentary environment
pore structure
petroleum accumulation
Dongyuemiao shale
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1590482/full
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