The Jurassic continental shale from northern Qaidam basin was selected as the research object, through the analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption experiment, the mineral composition and pore structure characteristics of Jurassic continental shale from the northern Qaidam basin have been investigated in detail. All shale samples studied are quite rich in clay minerals. The clay mineral content ranges from 59.8% to 83.3% with an average of 74.6%, and the brittle mineral content accounts for 16.5% to 39.3%. Nitrogen adsorption test results indicate that for mesopores and macropores of shale samples the average pore width is 2~200 nm, mainly centering on 10~50 nm, and the micropores of the shale samples have a centralized distribution of 0.5~1 nm. The shale samples show high specific surface areas of 4.6~15.2 m2/g. According to SEM results, interparticle mineral matrix pores are main pore type and slit-type pore are well developed.
