Electrical Detection of Shale Gas Layers Based on Wide-Field Electromagnetic Method
Man Li-Xin,*, Tan Zhang-Kun, Jia Jian-Chao, Gu Zhi-Wen, Yu Chang-Heng, and Yin Xue-Bo
1. Ecological Environment Geo-Service Center of Henan Geological Bureau
2. Sichuan Natural Resources Investment Group Geophysical Exploration Institute Co., Ltd
Abstract The drilling gas production situation indicates a certain correlation between the shale gas reservoir in the Sichuan Basin and the high and low changes in formation resistivity. These variations are observed in the first member of the Longmaxi Formation to the Wufeng Formation at the bottom of the Longmaxi Formation. Given this correlation and based on the logging electrical data, this study employs the wide-field electromagnetic method (WFEM) to experimentally detect the electrical characteristics of the deep shale gas target layer in the Yibin area of southern Sichuan. The study also tests the regularity and effectiveness of the electrical parameters for evaluating favorable areas of shale gas reservoirs. In terms of specific operation, the structural pattern of the study area is implemented based on the wide-field electromagnetic results and geological data for comprehensive analysis, which identifi es the main hidden faults and their influence range on low resistance. The detailed spatial distribution of the upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the target layer with a buried depth of 2000–5000m is described. This layer exhibits the characteristics of a continuous and stable distribution of organic shale. After verifying the subsequent electrical logging data, the electrical logging curve is found to be essentially consistent with the shape and trend of the wide-fi eld resistivity curve. This consistency demonstrates the eff ectiveness of WFEM in detecting shale gas layers.
Fund: This work was Supported by the Sichuan Natural Resources Investment Group Technology Innovation Project "Application
Research of Wide Area Electromagnetic Method in Shale Gas Electrical Detection in Southern Sichuan"
Corresponding Authors: Man Li-xin(Email: 492107739@qq.com.)
E-mail: 492107739@qq.com
About author: Man Lixin, senior engineer, graduated from Shanxi Coal Industry School with a major in geophysical exploration in 1988. He has been working in the fi eld of geophysical exploration for 36 years and currently works at the Ecological Environment Geological Service Center of Henan Geological Bureau. He is committed to research in the areas of electrical and electromagnetic signal processing for mineral and geothermal exploration.
Cite this article:
. Electrical Detection of Shale Gas Layers Based on Wide-Field Electromagnetic Method[J]. APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, 2025, 22(3): 878-890.
2025, Vol. 22 
