Progress, main problems and countermeasures of the shale gas exploration and development in Wufeng-Longmaxi formation, southeast Sichuan

The shale gas of Wufeng-Longmaxi formation in Fuling-Nanchuan-Dongxi-Dingshan area of southeast Sichuan has achieved good exploration and development benefits.At the end of 2018, the proved reserves of shale gas in Fuling gas field reach 6 008×10⁸ m³, and the cumulative gas production exceeded 150×10⁸ m³.How to effectively delineate the “sweet spot” of shale gas, improve the drilling and completion of wells and fracturing technology, and ensure environmental protection and safe production are the realistic problems that need to be solved urgently in the exploration and development of shale gas of Wufeng-Longmaxi formation in southeast Sichuan.The authors suggest that we should actively explore the new field of shale gas exploration and development, establish and perfect the evaluation standard and system of the “sweet spot” of shale gas, seek low-cost equipment and technology system, operation mode, and strive to optimize mining scheme and increase production measures.We should also strive to optimize mining plans and increase production measures, adopt environmentally friendly fracturing media and waste liquid ecological treatment methods, and avoid secondary geological disasters caused by the imbalance of in-situ stress during mining.It is hoped that these countermeasures can provide references and guidances for the exploration and development of shale gas of Wufeng-Longmaxi formation in southeast Sichuan.