Shale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest China

Abstract Integrated shale gas play evaluation in the structurally complex Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont reveals significant resource potential within the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation. Comprehensive characterization combining geological surveys, core analysis, and advanced geochemical/petroph...

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Main Authors: Amina Wumaier, Chao Wu, Haichao Ao, Mancang Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09915-x
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author Amina Wumaier
Chao Wu
Haichao Ao
Mancang Yang
author_facet Amina Wumaier
Chao Wu
Haichao Ao
Mancang Yang
author_sort Amina Wumaier
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Integrated shale gas play evaluation in the structurally complex Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont reveals significant resource potential within the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation. Comprehensive characterization combining geological surveys, core analysis, and advanced geochemical/petrophysical techniques demonstrates moderate-to-high maturity Type II1 kerogen source rocks with TOC up to 2.68% (average 1.41%), hydrocarbon generation potentials (S1+ S2) reaching 4.56 mg/g (average 1.77 mg/g), and well-developed mesoporous reservoir systems featuring 1.18–1.47% porosity, 0.00048–0.00178 mD permeability, and > 55% brittle minerals. Microstructural observations reveal that primary intergranular and intragranular pores are the dominant storage spaces. Two distinct accumulation models emerge: (1) monocline-retention type associated with structurally preserved hydrocarbon columns in updip positions; (2) syncline core type linked to overpressured basin centers. Resource estimation yields 1029.51 × 108m3 in-place gas, supporting exploration targeting in northern monocline structures and deep Jurassic intermontane basins where optimal thermal maturity windows coincide with effective preservation conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-e683f0c0d9df4a15bf8b8b0729fa1be12025-08-20T03:04:29ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-09915-xShale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest ChinaAmina Wumaier0Chao Wu1Haichao Ao2Mancang Yang3No.9 Geological Party of Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral ResourcesNo.9 Geological Party of Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral ResourcesNo.9 Geological Party of Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral ResourcesNo.9 Geological Party of Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral ResourcesAbstract Integrated shale gas play evaluation in the structurally complex Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont reveals significant resource potential within the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation. Comprehensive characterization combining geological surveys, core analysis, and advanced geochemical/petrophysical techniques demonstrates moderate-to-high maturity Type II1 kerogen source rocks with TOC up to 2.68% (average 1.41%), hydrocarbon generation potentials (S1+ S2) reaching 4.56 mg/g (average 1.77 mg/g), and well-developed mesoporous reservoir systems featuring 1.18–1.47% porosity, 0.00048–0.00178 mD permeability, and > 55% brittle minerals. Microstructural observations reveal that primary intergranular and intragranular pores are the dominant storage spaces. Two distinct accumulation models emerge: (1) monocline-retention type associated with structurally preserved hydrocarbon columns in updip positions; (2) syncline core type linked to overpressured basin centers. Resource estimation yields 1029.51 × 108m3 in-place gas, supporting exploration targeting in northern monocline structures and deep Jurassic intermontane basins where optimal thermal maturity windows coincide with effective preservation conditions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09915-xSouthwestern Tarim Basin PiedmontYangye FormationShale gasResource potentialAccumulation
spellingShingle Amina Wumaier
Chao Wu
Haichao Ao
Mancang Yang
Shale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest China
Scientific Reports
Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont
Yangye Formation
Shale gas
Resource potential
Accumulation
title Shale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest China
title_full Shale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest China
title_fullStr Shale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest China
title_full_unstemmed Shale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest China
title_short Shale gas potential and accumulation of the Middle Jurassic Yangye Formation in the Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont, Northwest China
title_sort shale gas potential and accumulation of the middle jurassic yangye formation in the southwestern tarim basin piedmont northwest china
topic Southwestern Tarim Basin Piedmont
Yangye Formation
Shale gas
Resource potential
Accumulation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09915-x
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