The geologic characteristics and their hydrocarbon implication of black shale of the lower Cambrian in lower Yangtze area are analyzed by outcrop observation, sampling and geochemical analysis. The following conclusions are drawn. The black shale of lower Cambrian in lower Yangtze area has great thickness between 100 to 400 meters, and is mainly distributed in Shitai, Jingxian, Ningguo, Quanjiao, Gaoyou and Haian. It has high content of quartz in the mineral composition in this set of black shale, which is good for fracturing. The content of organic carbon ranges from 1% to 4% in lower Yangtze area, and is greater than 2.0% at depositional thickness center. The analysis of microscopic organic composition, carbon isotope of kerogen, Pr/Ph and saturated HC/ aromatic HC indicate that the kerogen type is Ⅰ. The origin of parent materials is aquatic organisms with high potential for hydrocarbon generation. The vitrinite reflectance is in the range of 2.0%~4.0%, in the stage of maturity to over-maturity. The black shale of lower Cambrian in lower Yangtze area has great thickness, high content of organic carbon, good kerogen type and high thermal maturity, which suggests promising exploration prospects.

lower Cambrian  /  black shale  /  geochemical characteristics  /  lower Yangtze area