Abstract:

Based on several geological problems in the exploration and development of the normal pressure shale gas reservoir, its classification is explored. For that, the relation between the change of organic carbon content, the degree of thermal evolution and porosity in shale are analyzed. On this basis, the relation between gas content and these geological factors, and between the gas content and initial production are further studied. At the same time, compared with the typical shale gas reservoirs at home and abroad, the controlling effect of shale gas migration with different pressure gradients on the initial production of gas reservoirs is discussed. It is clearly pointed out that there are differences in the energy supply for shale gas migration between transitional normal pressure shale gas reservoir at the margin of （or in） the basin and residual normal pressure shale gas reservoir outside the basin. Although there exists loss, because of the large distribution area of shale in the basin and the sufficient migration and replenishment of shale gas, the transitional normal pressure gas reservoirs at the margin of （or in） the basin have higher initial production and better commercial benefit. While for the residual normal pressure gas reservoirs outside the basin, as they have limited shale distribution area and insufficient migration replenishment, they belong to low pressure reservoir and have low initial production. In order to realize the commercial development, it is necessary to make more breakthroughs in the technologies of increasing production and reducing cost.

Key words: normal pressure shale gas reservoir, pressure gradient, migration and replenishment, initial production, benefit development