Sedimentary characteristics of the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation in the E’Xi trough and its petroleum geological significance

CHEN Ke; WANG Yuluo; LU Yanxin; LI Fei

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025036

Volume 31 Issue 4

Aug. 2025

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Article Navigation > Journal of Geomechanics > 2025 > 31(4): 604-616

CHEN K，WANG Y L，LU Y X，et al.，2025. Sedimentary characteristics of the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation in the E’Xi trough and its petroleum geological significance[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，31（4）：604−616 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025036

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Sedimentary characteristics of the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation in the E’Xi trough and its petroleum geological significance

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025036

CHEN Ke^{1, 2
,},
WANG Yuluo^{1, 2
,
,},
LU Yanxin^{1, 2},
LI Fei^{1, 2}

1.
Oil and Gas Resources Survey Center of the China Geological Survey, Beijing 100083, China
2.
State Key Laboratory of Continental Shale Oil, Beijing 100083, China

Funds: This research is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. U2344213).

More Information

Received: 2025-04-03
Revised: 2025-07-15
Accepted: 2025-07-20

Available Online: 2025-07-29

Published: 2025-08-28

Abstract

Abstract

Objective The organic-rich shales of the Lower Cambrian in South China are characterized by significant thickness and high thermal maturity. Recent explorations have yielded industrial gas flows from the Lower Cambrian shales in the Middle Yangtze region. To further investigate the shale gas resource potential of the Lower Cambrian in South China, this study focuses on the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation in the Middle Yangtze region. Methods Through an integrated analysis of outcrop observations and drilling data, we analyzed its sedimentary characteristics and processes. A third-order stratigraphic sequence framework for the Lower Cambrian shale was established, and a sedimentary model of the Early Cambrian E’Xi Trough in the Middle Yangtze region was constructed, clarifying exploration targets. Results The Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation in the Middle Yangtze region primarily consists of shallow-water and deep-water shelf facies, with shallow carbonate deposits at both the bottom and top. The Lower Cambrian organic-rich shales can be divided into five third-order sequences, which are correlatable with those in the Upper Yangtze region. The Shuijingtuo Formation formed during the filling stage of the E’xi Trough, primarily consisting of argillaceous clastic sedimentary rocks. Conclusion Organic-rich shales are distributed in deep-water facies, with two identified subsags within the E’xi Trough (the Enshi and Yichang–Changyang depressions) serving as key exploration targets. The Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation, together with the underlying Sinian Dengying and Doushantuo Formations, forms a "sandwich-like" conventional hydrocarbon assemblage, which is a priority area for future conventional oil and gas exploration in Western Hubei.
- E’Xi trough,
- lower Cambrian,
- Shuijingtuo Formation,
- sedimentary characteristics,
- sequence stratigraphy

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