Geology and exploration potential of major petroleum basins in the former USSR
- Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
More than 20 sedimentary basins in the former USSR produce oil and gas or have undeveloped discoveries. In addition, several unproductive areas, many of them offshore, possess good undiscovered hydrocarbon potential. At present, major exploration activity is concentrated in the West Siberian, Timan-Pechora, and North Caspian basins. Major exploration efforts are directed toward stratigraphic traps in the Neocomian deltaic section and to structural and stratigraphic traps in underlying Jurassic continental clastics. The exploration potential of the North Caspian basin is very high as indicated by super giant discoveries in the Tengiz (oil) and Karachanganak (gas condensate) fields. Exploration in the Timan-Pechora basin during the past 10 yr was fairly successful. Although no giant accumulations were found, many medium-sized fields were reportedly discovered. The Barents Sea may become an important hydrocarbon-producing province in the future. An important oil and gas discovery in the Yurubchen field on the southwest side of the Lena-Tunguska basin (East SIberia) identified a new play with possible significant exploration potential. The offshore part of the North Sakhalin basin has attracted much interest from western oil companies. The South Caspian basin is the oldest oil producer in the former USSR; however, the geology of the basin is poorly understood. Most of discovered reserves in the basin are in structural traps related to the deformation of Miocene shale. Middle Pliocene sandstones are the main exploration target. The potential of Mesozoic rocks on the basin margins remains uncertain.
- OSTI ID:
- 5539458
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Vol. 77:11; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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