| Citation: | Caineng Zou, Dazhong Dong, Qin Zhang, Weiliang Kong, Wen Liu, Zhenyu Zhao, Zhi Yang, Qun Zhao, Rong Ding, Guangyin Cai, Tianquan Qu, Wanli Gao, Hanlin Liu, Rongze Yu, Jinliang Gao, Zhen Qiu. Formation, Potential, and Challenges of Marine-Continental Transitional Shale Gas in China. Journal of Earth Science, 2026, 37(3): 1193-1216. doi: 10.1007/s12583-026-2055-2
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Marine-continental transitional (MCT) shale gas is an important successor of unconventional natural gas resource in China. Based on integrated analyses of published data including outcrop investigation, exploration practice, drilling cores, and experimental testing, the recent progresses of both global and domestic shale gas development were systematically reviewed and compared, and we further examined the exploration progress and challenges of MCT shale gas in the Ordos Basin, Sichuan Basin, and their adjacent areas, and conducted a comprehensive discussion of the key geological conditions for the formation of shale gas and its resource potential, challenges, and counter measures. The results show that MCT shale in China is mainly developed within the Carboniferous–Permian strata (Benxi, Shanxi, and Longtan formations), dominated by lagoon, swamp, and tidal flat facies, and possesses favorable conditions for shale gas formation and development potential. They mainly include the generation and storage of shale gas as follows: (1) The organic-rich intervals are thick and widespread, dominated by Type Ⅲ organic matter with high total organic carbon (TOC) content (≥3.0% on average) and moderate thermal maturity (
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