Abstract: After over a decade of persistent efforts, preliminary technological iteration and sustained production growth have been obtained in shale gas exploration and development in China. However, it still faces scientific and technological challenges in realizing the large-scale and beneficial development. In order to advance the beneficial shale gas development and achieve “China’s Shale Gas Revolution”,  comparative analysis of shale gas geological characteristics and development methods between Southern Sichuan Basin and the United States has been conducted, and future development direction of shale gas in China has been clarified. The study results indicate: (1) Affected by multi-stage tectonic events, shale gas reservoirs in Southern Sichuan Basin are characterized by complex structure, great stress difference, and high reservoir heterogeneity. Despite its superior organic matter abundance (TOC) and maturity, critical parameters including porosity, permeability, and single-well controlled reserves are poorer than those in typical U.S. shale gas fields, posing inherent constraints to the large-scale and beneficial gas development. (2) Although the U.S. “horizontal drilling + volume fracturing” system offers valuable references, it is infeasible for direct replication. In response to the complex geological conditions in China, oil companies should overcome technical barriers in sweet spot delineation, ultra-long horizontal well drilling, and high-efficiency fracturing technology, and construct a technological system adapted to the native geological and engineering conditions. (3) The core factor for successful shale revolution in the U.S. lies in project-based management and day-rate contracting system, which achieves high-efficiency iteration given the high-risk conditions. In contrast, China’s traditional “relay-style” management mode severely impedes operational efficiency, so it is urgent to promote the flattened project system reform to stimulate management efficiency. Recent field practices in Southern Sichuan Basin show that the “China’s Shale Gas Revolution” is imperative for high-quality development, which demands establishing a tailored management system with operational autonomy, pursuing innovation aligned with China’s geological realities, and prioritizing geological–engineering sweet spot characterization, technological iteration, and stereoscopic development pilots to achieve a second leap in the development of shale gas industry in China.

Key words: geological characteristics, development method, China’s Shale Gas Revolution, technological innovation, market-oriented management