Method for predicting formation buried depth based on regional geological maps and digital elevation model and its application

Objective For the early selection and evaluation of unconventional gas resources such as shale gas and dissolved gas, it is often difficult to obtain formation burial depth by seismic structural interpretation due to the lack of seismic data. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively predict the burial depth of the target layer using other non-seismic data. Methods Both regional geological maps and digital elevation model (DEM) are widely covered and easily accessible basic data. In this study, a new method for predicting structural height and buried depth of target layer is established by superposing regional DEM information with geological map which contains the attitude of stratum, trend of underground structures, as well as the relation between buried depth of underground layer and age of surface layer. Results This method is effective for predicting the burial depth of Marine strata with relatively stable sedimentary thickness. The buried depth of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin and its periphery is predicted based on 36 geological maps with scale of 1∶200 000 and DEM data, and then the contour map of the buried depth of Longmaxi Formation provides important parameters for the evaluation of shale gas preservation conditions in this area. Conclusion The method of predicting the burial depth of Marine strata by using non-seismic data such as regional geological map and DEM can not only provide effective support for the early selection evaluation of shale gas, but also can be applied to the resource evaluation of water-soluble gas in deep high-pressure aquifers and the structural optimization of CO2 geological storage in deep saline aquifers.