ANALIZA OSADÓW ILASTO-MUŁOWCOWYCH W POLSCE POD KĄTEM MOŻLIWOŚCI WYSTĘPOWANIA W NICH NIEKONWENCJONALNYCH NAGROMADZEŃ GAZU ZIEMNEGO

Abstract

ANALYSIS OF SHALE GAS POTENTIAL OF SILTSTONE AND MUDSTONE FORMATIONS IN POLANDAbstract. Shale gas potential of organic rich claystone and mudstone formation from the sedimentary basins in Poland was analyzed. Intensive tectonic deformation of the Outer Carpathian Menilite shale, as well as their often low thermal maturity, are limits for shale gas exploration. To a lesser degree this is truth also for the Lower Carboniferous shale in the Wielkopolska zone (SW Poland). Claystone and mudstone in the Miocene foredeep basin of Carpathians are not consolidated and have too low TOC. The uppermost Jurassic to lowermost Cretaceous shale and the Lower and Middle Jurassic shale in the Polish Basin, as well as the Lower Permian Antracosia and Walchia shale in the Intra-Sudetic basin, are generally characterized by too low thermal maturity for gas generation. Thickness of the Upper Permian Copper shale as well as the Upper Permian Main Dolomite in shaly and marly development is too low to be considered as shale gas targets. Low thermal maturity is characteristic also for the Upper Carboniferous shale in the Lublin basins, and in the eastern part of the Upper Silesian Basin. Both the basins lack thick homogenous shale formation. The uppermost Devonian to lowermost Carboniferous shale in the Western Pomerania is characterized by too low TOC contents. The highest potential of shale gas exploration is related to the Upper Ordovician and/or Lower Silurian graptolitic shale at the East European Craton. The Lower Carboniferous shale in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline area is regarded as a secondary target.