A Combination of N2 and CO2 Adsorption to Characterize Nanopore Structure of Organic-Rich Lower Silurian Shale in the Upper Yangtze Platform, South China: Implications for Shale Gas Sorption Capacity

The pores in shales are mainly of nanometer-scale, and their pore size distribution is very important for the preservation and exploitation of shale gas. This study focused on the organic-rich Lower Silurian black shale from four wells in the Upper Yangtze Platform, and their TOC, mineralogical composition and pore characterization were investigated. Low pressure N2 and CO2 adsorption were conducted at 77.35 K and 273.15 K, respectively, and the pore structures were characterized by modified Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR), t-plot, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) and density functional theory (DFT) methods and then the relationship between pore structure and shale gas sorption capacity was discussed. The results indicate that (1) The Lower Silurian shale has high TOC content of 0.92%–4.96%, high quartz content of 30.6%–69.5%, and high clays content of 24.1%–51.2%. The total specific surface area varies from 7.56 m2/g to 25.86 m2/g. Both the total specific surface area and quartz content are positively associated with the TOC content. (2) Shale samples with higher TOC content have more micropores, which results in more complex nanopore structure. Micropore volumes/surface areas and non-micropore surface areas all increase with the increasing TOC content. (3) A combination of N2 and CO2 adsorption provides the most suitable detection range (~0.3–60 nm) and has high reliability and accuracy for nanopore structure characterization. (4) The TOC content is the key factor to control the gas sorption capacity of the Lower Silurian shale in the Upper Yangtze Platform.     

Geological Factors Controlling the Accumulation and High Yield of Marine-Facies Shale Gas: Case Study of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the Dingshan Area of Southeast Sichuan,China

The main geological factors controlling the accumulation and yield of marine-facies shale gas reservoirs are the focus of the current shale gas exploration and development research. In this study, the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the Dingshan area of southeast Sichuan was investigated. Shale cores underwent laboratory testing, which included the evaluation of total organic carbon(TOC), vitrinite reflectance(Ro), whole-rock X-ray diffraction(XRD), pore permeability,and imaging through field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM). Based on the results of natural gamma ray spectrum logging, conventional logging, imaging logging, and seismic coherence properties, the exploration and development potential of shale gas in the Dingshan area have been discussed comprehensively. The results showed that(1)layer No. 4(WF2-LM4) of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation has a Th/U ratio 2 and a Th/K ratio of 3.5–12. Graptolites and pyrite are relatively abundant in the shale core, indicating sub-high-energy and low-energy marine-facies anoxic reducing environments.(2) The organic matter is mainly I-type kerogen with a small amount of II1-type kerogen. There is a good correlation among TOC, Ro, gas content, and brittle minerals; the fracturing property(brittleness) is 57.3%. Organic and inorganic pores are moderately developed. A higher pressure coefficient is correlated with the increase in porosity and the decrease in permeability.(3) The DY1 well of the shale gas reservoir was affected by natural defects and important latestage double destructive effects, and it is poorly preserved. The DY2 well is located far from the Qiyueshan Fault. Large faults are absent, and upward fractures in the Longmaxi Formation are poorly developed. The well is affected by low tectonic deformation intensity, and it is well preserved.(4) The Dingshan area is located at the junction of the two sedimentary centers of Jiaoshiba and Changning. The thickness of the high-quality shale interval(WF2-LM4) is relatively small, which may be an important reason for the unstable production of shale gas thus far. Based on the systematic analysis of the geological factors controlling high-yield shale gas enrichment in the Dingshan area, and the comparative analysis with the surrounding typical exploration areas, the geological understanding of marine shale gas enrichment in southern China has been improved. Therefore, this study can provide a useful reference for shale gas exploration and further development.     

昭通示范区黄金坝气田五峰—龙马溪组页岩气储层地质特征

昭通国家级页岩气示范区黄金坝气田是继礁石坝和长宁—威远之后中国又一个在页岩气勘探、开发领域实现重大突破的地区,为了系统地展示黄金坝气田页岩气资源富集的储层条件,为未来的勘探工作提供参考,以五峰—龙马溪组页岩气储层为研究对象,从区域地质条件、储层岩石学、物性和地球化学4个方面对该页岩气储层进行了综合研究。结果表明稳定的区域构造和良好的顶底板条件是黄金坝地区页岩气资源富集的关键,良好的保存条件使储层维持了较高的压力(压力系数1);较高的孔隙度(平均4%)和TOC含量(目的层2%)提供了良好的储集空间,使储层具有较高的含气量(1.35~3.48 cm3/g,平均2.50 cm3/g);天然气地球化学数据表明,区内天然气主要成分为CH4(97%),其次还含有少量的C2H6、C3H8和CO2;天然气同位素数据表明烃类C同位素组成发生了倒转,表明储层具有良好的封闭性。但储层孔隙系统较为复杂,且非均质性极强,从而导致渗透率较低,在储层改造施工过程中应予以充分考虑。总体上,黄金坝气田具有较好的开发前景,生产测试表明,区内直井压裂产量为0.5×104~3.5×104m3/d/井,水平井压裂产量可达12×104~40×104m3/d/井。     

Characteristics and Evaluation of the High-Quality Source Rocks of Cretaceous Continental Shale Oil in Tonghua Basin,China

The presence of shale oil in the Cretaceous Hengtongshan Formation in the Tonghua Basin, drilled by the well TD-01, has been discussed in this geological investigation for the first time. To evaluate the high-quality source rocks of Cretaceous continental shale oil, the distribution characteristics and the evolution of the ancient environment, samples of shale were systematically analyzed in terms of sedimentary facies, organic geochemistry, and organic carbon isotopic composition. The results demonstrate that a TOC value of 1.5% represents the lower-limit TOC value of the high-quality source rocks. Source rocks have an aggregate thickness of 211 m and contain abundant organic matter, with TOC values of 2.69% on average and a maximum value over 5.44%. The original hydrocarbon-generative potential value(S_1+S_2) is between 0.18 mg/g and 6.13 mg/g, and the Ro is between 0.97% and 1.40%. The thermal maturation of the source rocks is relatively mature to highly mature. The δ¹³C value range is between -34.75‰ and -26.53‰. The ratio of saturated hydrocarbons to aromatic hydrocarbons is 1.55 to 5.24, with an average of 2.85, which is greater than 1.6. The organic types are mainly type Ⅱ_1, followed by type Ⅰ. The organic carbon source was C_3 plants and hydrophytes. The paleoclimate of the Hengtongshan Formation can be characterized as hot and dry to humid, and these conditions were conducive to the development of high-quality source rocks. A favorable paleoenvironment and abundant organic carbon sources provide a solid hydrocarbon generation base for the formation and accumulation of oil and gas in the shale of the Tonghua Basin.     

Shale Gas Formation and Occurrence in China: An Overview of the Current Status and Future Potential

Shale gas is one of the most promising unconventional resources both in China and abroad. It is known as a form of self-contained source-reservoir system with large and continuous dimensions. Through years of considerable exploration efforts, China has identified three large shale gas fields in the Fuling, Changning and Weiyuan areas of the Sichuan Basin, and has announced more than 540 billion m~3 of proven shale gas reserves in marine shale systems. The geological theories for shale gas development have progressed rapidly in China as well. For example, the new depositional patterns have been introduced for deciphering the paleogeography and sedimentary systems of the Wufeng shale and Longmaxi shale in the Sichuan Basin. The shale gas storage mechanism has been widely accepted as differing from conventional natural gas in that it is adsorbed on organic matter or a mineral surface or occurs as free gas trapped in pores and fractures of the shale. Significant advances in the techniques of microstructural characterization have provided new insights on how gas molecules are stored in micro- and nano-scale porous shales. Furthermore, newly-developed concepts and practices in the petroleum industry, such as hydraulic fracturing, microseismic monitoring and multiwell horizontal drilling, have made the production of this unevenly distributed but promising unconventional natural gas a reality. China has 10–36 trillion m~3 of promising shale gas among the world's whole predicted technically recoverable reserves of 206.6 trillion m~3. China is on the way to achieving its goal of an annual yield of 30–50 billion m~3 by launching more trials within shale gas projects.     

气测录井在南方页岩气黔绥地1井中的应用

南方页岩气黔绥地1井为全井取心钻进,通过加工模拟绞车实现了绞车传感器的安装、安装开关代替了悬重传感器的安装、将泵冲传感器安装到皮带轮保护罩上等解决方法,使得气测录井在黔绥地1井中顺利进行。影响黔绥地1井气测录井结果的主要因素有储集层、钻井液、钻井工程以及脱气器,这些影响因素的存在给黔绥地1井气测录井资料解释带来了很大的困扰。为了减少对气测录井资料解释的困扰,必须加强对现场工作人员的录井培训,使录井人员在工作当中能够有效地消除可控因素对气测录井的影响,在一定程度上提高地质钻探气测录井的准确度,为南方页岩气地层划分提供有力的数据支撑。     

滇黔北昭通示范区龙马溪组页岩气资源潜力评价

研究区位于滇黔北坳陷威信凹陷的中西部区域——川南低陡褶皱带南缘带,本文利用钻井、野外露头、区域地质等资料,对研究区龙马溪组页岩气基本地质特征进行了分析,并采用体积法对页岩气资源量进行了评价。研究成果表明,区内龙马溪组下段暗色页岩有机质含量及成熟度较高,有机质类型偏腐泥型;岩石脆性矿物含量高,物性一般,总含气量中等,总体与长宁、威远等邻区同层位产气页岩较为相似,并与北美主要产气页岩具有一定可比性。初步估算研究区龙马溪组页岩气资源量24871.8×10~8m~3,展现出良好的勘探前景,但受储层发育、保存条件等影响,页岩气资源分布严重不均,纵向上质量较好的页岩气资源主要集中在龙马溪组底部第1小层,平面上主要分布于研究区北部的川南低陡褶皱带内,该区内保存条件好的宽缓复向斜带和箱状背斜构造带是下步勘探的有利区。     

A New Fracability Evaluation Approach for Shale Reservoirs Based on Multivariate Analysis: A Case Study in Zhaotong Shale Gas Demonstration Zone in Sichuan,China

Fracability characterizes the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing. The existing assessment methods cannot reflect the actual value of the effectiveness due to a lack of comprehensive consideration and neglect of the influences of engineering factors. This study aims to solve this problem by implementing geological static data and production dynamic data in multivariate analysis in Zhaotong shale gas demonstration zone. First, the reservoir quality index (RQI) was introduced to evaluate the exploration potential by integrating the geological parameters with gray relational analysis. Moreover, the differences in fracturing fluid types and proppant sizes were considered, and the operating parameters were normalized on the basis of the equivalence principle. Finally, the general reservoir fracability index (GRFI) was proposed based on a dimensioned processing of the various parameters. A case study was conducted to verify the accuracy and feasibility of this new approach. The results demonstrate that (1) the organic carbon and gas content are adjusted to contribute the most to the calculation of the RQI, while the effective porosity contributes the least; (2) the fracturing scale is the main operating parameter determining the fracability, which has the strongest correlation with the effectiveness of fracking; and (3) the GRFI has a positive correlation with shale gas production, and the lower limit of the GRFI of 2,000 corresponds to a daily production of 50,000 m3/d; this value is defined as the threshold value of a stripper well. The GRFI is consistent with the productivity trend of shale gas wells in the research block, which suggests that the new model is accurate and practical for well candidate selection.     

页岩气及其勘探研究意义

与传统意义上的泥页岩裂缝气并不完全相同,现代概念的页岩气是主体上以吸附和游离状态同时赋存于具有生烃能力泥岩及页岩等地层中的天然气聚集,具有自生自储、吸附成藏、隐蔽聚集等地质特点。美国的页岩气勘探取得巨大成功,是投入工业性勘探开发的三大非常规天然气类型之一,目前已形成了区域性页岩气勘探开发局面。中国的页岩气研究正在起步,许多盆地及研究区具有页岩气成藏的地质条件。与美国东部地区页岩气成藏地质条件进行初步对比,中国南方具有有利的页岩气发育条件,开展页岩气研究具有重要意义。     

滇黔桂盆地泥盆系页岩气成藏条件及资源潜力分析

通过野外露头观察、剖面测量和样品测试,分析了滇黔桂盆地泥盆系页岩气成藏条件。研究结果表明：滇黔桂盆地中、下泥盆统发育两套台盆相暗色泥页岩沉积,泥页岩单层厚度为10~55 m,累计厚度普遍在100~450 m之间;泥页岩TOC一般为1.0%~2.5%,有机质类型为Ⅰ型-Ⅱ₁型,处于高-过成熟热演化阶段;储层物性接近于四川盆地威201井寒武系九老洞组页岩,发育多种储集空间类型,脆性矿物含量平均值为46%,具备储集条件;黔南坳陷西南部和桂中坳陷中西部地区地层相对平缓,断裂密度和剥蚀厚度小,且断裂性质以逆冲、压扭为主,页岩气保存条件相对较好。综合考虑暗色泥页岩厚度、埋藏深度、有机碳含量、热演化程度和保存条件等因素,预测滇黔桂盆地泥盆系页岩气有利层段为塘丁组和罗富组,有利区主要分布于天峨-南丹-河池一带以及桂中坳陷中部的鹿寨-来宾-合山-大化地区。利用地质资源丰度类比法计算出该区页岩气地质资源量为0.66×10¹²~1.09×10¹² m³。     

页岩气富集带地质控制因素及地震预测方法

首先对页岩气富集带的地质控制因素及各家的评价指标进行了探讨,认为页岩气的评价指标可以分为两大类：一类是评价页岩气量的多少,即资源因素,它决定了该区页岩气资源潜力及储量的多少,是页岩气资源评价、有利区块优选的关键指标。主要包括页岩厚度、有机质（TOC）丰度、干酪根类型、成熟度(Ro)、天然气含量及状态（游离、吸附）等。另一类决定了页岩气能否经济地开采出来,以及产量的高低,即所谓的“核心区”或“甜点”区。包括埋藏深度、页岩本身的矿物成分、脆度、孔隙度（裂缝）、渗透率以及原始地应力大小、方向及差异等。这两类指标共同控制了页岩气的富集和最终产量。因此,在页岩气勘探开发过程中,应首先利用地质和地球化学方法对第一类指标进行评价,从中优选出有利区块。在有利区块内,可以利用地震相关技术对第二类指标预测和评价,从中优选出适合钻井和开采的页岩气富集带或“甜点”区。根据对页岩气富集带（甜点）地质控制因素的讨论,可以将页岩气划分为“裂隙” 型页岩气藏及“脆性”型页岩气,两种类型均需位于弱应力各向异性区,以便于压裂过程中得到理想的复杂网状裂缝系统。笔者认为,对于“裂隙”型页岩气藏,几何地震属性分析技术（包括相干体、蚂蚁体、曲率体等）可以很好地刻画断层、隐伏断层及裂缝发育带,对这些成果的解释可以以玫瑰图的方式展示,从而可以揭示该区域的裂缝的主要发育方向及次要方向,进而推断该区的局部主应力方向,为水平井位部署提供依据。而对于“脆性”型页岩气藏,叠前反演技术、叠后反演技术可以揭示低泊松比(υ),纵横波速比等来进行有利目标（甜点）识别。曾经在常规油气勘探中发挥重要作用的地震技术,在页岩气等非常规油气资源勘探开发中,仍然是一种不可或缺的关键技术。     

滇东北DD1井五峰-龙马溪组页岩气地质特征及其勘探启示

四川盆地南缘五峰-龙马溪组页岩气勘探难度大。以滇东北彝良县DD1井页岩气调查井为例,利用钻测井、岩心分析测试等资料评价其页岩气地质条件。滇东北彝良县DD1井的五峰-龙马溪组富有机质页岩厚度较小、有机质丰度低、热演化程度高、含气性差、N₂含量高,其主要评价指标与盆地内JY1、N203等盆内页岩气高产井差异明显。在页岩气核心评价参数对比基础之上,对DD1井五峰-龙马溪组页岩气勘探失利的地质因素进行深入分析,认为其原因主要在于3个方面：1）五峰-龙马溪期距离黔中古隆起较近,五峰-龙马溪组下段为浅水潮坪相沉积,缺乏黑色富有机质页岩的物质基础;2）五峰-龙马溪组页岩热演化程度高,导致页岩孔隙度变差;3）五峰-龙马溪组埋深较浅,多种尺度裂缝发育,页岩气逸散严重,页岩气构造保存条件差。对滇东北彝良县DD1井页岩气钻探失利的分析,为盆外五峰-龙马溪组页岩气勘探提供了启示意义。     

蜀南地区龙马溪组页岩气工业建产区游离气和孔隙度下限讨论

游离气作为页岩气重要赋存形式之一,决定了页岩气的开发潜力及经济效益.以蜀南地区龙马溪组页岩为例,结合X-射线衍射、岩石有机碳、储层物性、测井解释及生产测试等资料,对比分析了四川盆地及周缘页岩游离气含量与测试日产气量的关系,初步提出了工业建产区页岩游离气含量下限,并从烃源、储集及保存等方面对页岩游离气含量主控因素进行了系...     

涪陵页岩气水平井定向技术

涪陵页岩气产能示范区作为国内首个国家级页岩气示范区,自2012年启动以来,通过不断的技术攻关和技术创新,形成了完善的国产化水平井钻井技术系列。2015年随着区块的转移,地质条件更趋复杂,定向施工面临着更多新的技术难题,在已有成熟技术的基础上,通过技术优化和先进的降摩减扭工具的应用,有效地解决了新区块的施工难题,推进了页岩气产能区的建设。     

Discovery and Analysis of Shale Gas in a Carboniferous Reservoir and its Enrichment Characteristics in the Northern Nanpanjiang Depression,Guizhou Province,China

Shale gas resources are considered to be extremely abundant in southern China, which has dedicated considerable attention to shale gas exploration in recent years. Exploration of shale gas has considerably progressed and several breakthroughs have been made in China. However, shale gas explorations are still scarce. Summary and detailed analysis studies on black shale reservoirs are still to be performed for many areas. This lack of information slows the progress of shale gas explorations and results in low quantities of stored black shale. The Carboniferous Dawuba Formation, which is widely distributed and considerably thick, is one of the black shale formations targeted for shale gas exploration in southern China in the recent years. The acquisition and analysis of total organic carbon, vitrinite reflectance,types of organic matter, mineral composition, porosity, and permeability are basic but important processes. In addition, we analyzed the microscopic pores present in the shale. This study also showesd the good gas content of the Dawuba Formation, as well as the geological factors affecting its gas content and other characteristics. To understand the prospect of exploration, we compared this with other shale reservoirs which have been already successfully explored for gas. Our comparison showesd that those shale reservoirs have similar but not identical geological characteristics.     

南华北盆地太康隆起煤系页岩气地质特征及勘探潜力

基于南华北盆地上古生界煤系页岩气勘探实践及认识,通过研究该区页岩气烃源岩地球化学特征、储集层特征、含气性特征,总结页岩气地质特征,分析勘探潜力。页岩气主要发育于太原组、山西组,烃源岩有机质类型以Ⅲ型为主,镜质体反射率为2.1%~3.4%,处于过成熟阶段;太原组、山西组泥页岩有机碳含量均值分别为2.34%、1.66%;页岩气储集层矿物成分以石英、黏土矿物为主,主要储集空间类型为矿物质孔和微裂缝;太原组、山西组页岩含气量均值分别为1.73 m³/t、1.55 m³/t,相对于海相页岩含气特征属于中等—偏高的范围;采用容积法计算页岩气地质资源量为7112×10⁸m³,资源丰度为2.54×10⁸m³。经综合对比评价认为庄头斜坡、杞县凹陷是南华北盆地太康隆起页岩气较为有利的勘探目标区。     

福特沃斯盆地Barnett页岩气藏特征及启示

福特沃斯盆地Newark East页岩气田是美国第一大页岩气田,代表了一个集烃源岩、储层和盖层等成藏体系所有关键要素存在于同一套页岩层的非常规天然气藏--页岩气藏.根据研究资料,对福特沃斯盆地Barnett页岩气藏的特征进行了分析,包括页岩厚度、有机质类型及丰度、成熟度、孔渗和裂缝特征以及含气量等指标,重点研究了Newark East页岩气田的特征,该气田具有页岩层相对较厚、有机质丰度高、热成熟度高和被致密碳酸盐岩包围的特征.最后得出Newark East气田Barnett页岩气藏的气藏模式,并认为该页岩气藏的特征、模式在马拉松-沃希托、阿巴拉契亚逆冲褶皱带前缘的前陆盆地中具有普遍意义.     

Geological Features and Reservoiring Mode of Shale Gas Reservoirs in Longmaxi Formation of the Jiaoshiba Area

Abstract: This study is based on the sedimentation conditions, organic geochemistry, storage spaces, physical properties, lithology and gas content of the shale gas reservoirs in Longmaxi Formation of the Jiaoshiba area and the gas accumulation mode is summarized and then compared with that in northern America. The shale gas reservoirs in the Longmaxi Formation in Jiaoshiba have good geological conditions, great thickness of quality shales, high organic content, high gas content, good physical properties, suitable depth, good preservation conditions and good reservoir types. The quality shales at the bottom of the deep shelf are the main target interval for shale gas exploration and development. Shale gas in the Longmaxi Formation has undergone three main reservoiring stages: the early stage of hydrocarbon generation and compaction when shale gas reservoirs were first formed; the middle stage of deep burial and large-scale hydrocarbon generation, which caused the enrichment of reservoirs with shale gas; the late stage of uplift, erosion and fracture development when shale gas reservoirs were finally formed.     

页岩气地震勘探数据采集参数选择的研究

我国页岩气重点开展区域为南方海相沉积地层,地震地质条件相对复杂,数据采集难度较大。贵州凤冈某页岩气勘查区块,属典型的喀斯特低山地貌,地形起伏大,地震施工困难,同时寒武系下统牛蹄塘组页岩层埋藏较深,反射波能量较弱,原始资料信噪比偏低。参考邻区地震勘探经验,采用二种方法论证野外施工参数:一是在勘探区选取论证点设计物理模型进行理论计算;二是以勘查区内向斜部位设计地质模型进行正演模拟求取。在此基础上通过进行不同岩性、井深、药量等激发接收参数的试验,确定了该区块的野外施工方案。该区页岩气地震勘探野外施工参数的选择方法,有效保障了其页岩气地震勘探效果。     

Geological Conditions and Prospect Forecast of Shale Gas Formation in Qiangtang Basin,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The presence of shale gas has been confirmed in almost every marine shale distribution area in North America.Formation conditions of shale gas in China are the most favorable for marine,organic-rich shale as well.But there has been little research focusing on shale gas in Qiangtang Basin,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,where a lot of Mesozoic marine shale formations developed.Based on the survey results of petroleum geology and comprehensive test analysis data for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,for the first time,this paper discusses characteristics of sedimentary development,thickness distribution,geochemistry,reservoir and burial depth of organic-rich shale,and geological conditions for shale gas formation in Qiangtang Basin.There are four sets of marine shale strata in Qiangtang Basin including Upper Triassic Xiaochaka Formation （T3x）,Middle Jurassic Buqu Formation （J2b）,Xiali Formation （J2x） and Upper Jurassic Suowa Formation （J3s）,the sedimentary types of which are mainly bathyal-basin facies,open platform-platform margin slope facies,lagoon and tidal-fiat facies,as well as delta facies.By comparing it with the indicators of gas shale in the main U.S.basins,it was found that the four marine shale formations in Qiangtang Basin constitute a multi-layer distribution of organic-rich shale,featuring a high degree of thickness and low abundance of organic matter,high thermal evolution maturity,many kinds of brittle minerals,an equivalent content of quartz and clay minerals,a high content of feldspar and low porosity,which provide basic conditions for an accumulation of shale gas resources.Xiaochaka Formation shale is widely distributed,with big thickness and the best gas generating indicators.It is the main gas source layer.Xiali Formation shale is of intermediate thickness and coverage area,with relatively good gas generating indicators and moderate gas formation potential.Buqu Formation shale and Suowa Formation shale are of relatively large thickness,and covering a small area,with poor gas generating indicators,and limited gas formation potential.The shale gas geological resources and technically recoverable resources were estimated by using geologic analogy method,and the prospective areas and potentially favorable areas for Mesozoic marine shale gas in Qiangtang Basin are forecast and analyzed.It is relatively favorable in a tectonic setting and indication of oil and gas,shale maturity,sedimentary thickness and gypsum-salt beds,and in terms of mineral association for shale gas accumulation.But the challenge lies in overcoming the harsh natural conditions which contributes to great difficulties in ground engineering and exploration,and high exploration costs.