Upper Carboniferous Shale Gas Potential Analysis in Eastern Qaidam Basin, Northwestern China

Shale of rich organic matter presents in Upper Carboniferous in Qaidam Basin, Northwest of China. Carboniferous shale thickness is between 100 ~ 300m in the Qaidam Basin, the shale includes silty mudstone shale, calcareous mudstone, shale and carbonaceous shale, and it is very favorable lithology type for shale gas. According to the shale organic geochemical analysis, the abundance of organic matter reaching the middle - good degree of hydrocarbon source rocks; the type of organic matter is mainly II2 and III type. The maturity of organic matter is mainly between 1 % -1.3 %. The Upper Carboniferous shale thermal evolution is in mature oil and gas stage. The Upper Carboniferous hydrocarbon-rich shale distribute stability, with great thickness. Shale gas potential in Upper Carboniferous is quite large.