Lithium resource potential and enrichment pattern in saline lacustrine shale and prospects for co-production with shale oil

WANG Mingqian, GUO Zhaojie, JIN Zhijun, ZHANG Yuanyuan

doi:10.11698/PED.20250228

0 20251119 - 20251119

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11698/PED.20250228

Lithium resource potential and enrichment pattern in saline lacustrine shale and prospects for co-production with shale oil

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1. School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
2. CNOOC Research Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing 100028, China;
3. Institute of Energy, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Received date: 2025-04-14

Revised date: 2025-09-25

Online published: 2025-11-19

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Abstract

Based on the survey of saline lacustrine shales in the Permian Lucaogou Formation and Fengcheng Formation in the Junggar Basin, it is found that the sweet intervals of these shale oil strata are enriched with lithium—an underexplored resource with significant potential. The sedimentary environment, depositional process, and geochemical characteristics of these intervals were analyzed, indicating that lithium enrichment in saline lacustrine shale is controlled by multiple factors during deposition and diagenesis. The salinity of lake water during sedimentation plays a key role in lithium accumulation, while clastic input reduces its concentration, and diagenesis further affects its distribution. To assess the potential for lithium co-production in shale oil development, future research should focus on the distribution of lithium and hydrocarbons in lacustrine shales and the economic feasibility of an “oil-lithium integrated sweet spot”. Furthermore, efficient lithium extraction and environmental protection technologies need to be explored to optimize resource development. Saline lacustrine shale oil development not only ensures stable oil and gas supplies but also, if lithium co-production is realized, could enhance China’s lithium security, contributing significantly to the country’s energy transformation.

Key words： saline lacustrine basin; shale oil; lithium resource; resource evaluation; enrichment pattern; co-production technology; Junggar Basin; Lucaogou Formation; Fengcheng Formation

Cite this article

WANG Mingqian, GUO Zhaojie, JIN Zhijun, ZHANG Yuanyuan . Lithium resource potential and enrichment pattern in saline lacustrine shale and prospects for co-production with shale oil[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 0 : 20251119 -20251119 . DOI: 10.11698/PED.20250228

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