Ensuring the sustainability of energy is pivotal for achieving a harmonious balance between environmental conservation and economic growth. The mechanical behavior of deep shale reservoir rocks is intricate, presenting challenges in ascertaining their brittleness characteristics. To address this, the study employed a suite of evaluation techniques, encompassing analyses of stress-strain curve attributes, energy dissipation patterns, and mineral composition profiles. The overarching goal was to delineate the variations in deep shale brittleness as a function of depth. The findings indicate a general trend of decreasing shale brittleness with increasing depth. However, the brittleness indices derived from the three distinct evaluation methods varied, with the mineral composition approach yielding the most scattered results. This disparity underscores the heterogeneity of deep shale, likely due to its varied diagenetic history compared to shallower formations. In response to these observations, the study leveraged the principle of weighted averaging to devise a composite brittleness evaluation method. This innovative approach not only integrates the effects of multiple influencing factors but also accounts for the differential impact and weight of each method on the overall brittleness assessment. By doing so, it offers a more nuanced and holistic understanding of shale brittleness. The paper’s exploration of deep shale’s brittleness characteristics contributes valuable insights for the exploration and development of deep shale reservoirs, enhancing the strategic and operational frameworks within the energy sector. This comprehensive evaluation method serves as a foundation for more informed decision-making, ensuring that energy extraction is conducted in a manner that is both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
