Geodynamic and paleotectonic analysis of the South Caspian megadepression in connection with oil and gas prospects (using the example of the Yevlakh-Agjabedi depression)

Sudaba ALIYEVA

doi:10.17721/1728-2713.111.08

Authors

Sudaba ALIYEVA Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7059-0868

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.111.08

Keywords:

South Caspian Plate, lithospheric plate, geodynamic regime, East European Plate, sedimentary basin, hydrocarbon potential, Yevlakh-Agjabedi region, Muradkhanli oil and gas accumulation zone, non-structural traps, reservoirs, seals

Abstract

Background. When assessing the prospects for oil and gas potential, the most important task is to determine the genetic affiliation of the sedimentary basin, i. e. type of geodynamic regime. In this regard, this article devoted to the geodynamic evolution of the Caspian Basin is relevant. The work analyzed data from published works on the geodynamic evolution of the abovementioned territory. From the standpoint of global plate tectonics, high oil and gas potential is associated primarily with continental margins, paleorift basins, zones of intermontane and foredeeps formed during the final stage of plate collision, as well as with thrust margins of folded mountain structures. The determining factor in oil and gas formation is, first of all, the geodynamic regime of the subsoil, and therefore, when assessing the prospects for oil and gas content, the primary task is to determine the genetic affiliation of the sedimentary basin, i. e. type of geodynamic regime. When determining the genotype of a sedimentary basin, an extremely important parameter is the type of consolidated crust, which is associated not only with the amplitude of tectonic subsidence and, consequently, the rate of sedimentation, the thickness of the sedimentary cover, but also the magnitude of the heat flow, which determines the conditions of oil and gas formation.

Results. As a result of the analysis of the main criteria of oil and gas potential, we associate the greatest prospects with the NE side part of the Yevlakh-Agjabedi depression region and its north-eastern section of the SE centricolinal closure, where the articulation of the said depression with the slopes of the Geokchay-Mingachevir, Saatly-Kurdamir and Bilasuvar-Karadonly Mesozoic protrusions occurs. The probable zone of oil and gas formation, which served as a source of hydrocarbon fluids for the regional oil accumulation zone under consideration, was the central part of the Yevlakh-Agjabedi trough, where, during most of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic history, there was a steady subsidence and accumulation of a thick layer of Eocene deposits, from where oil migrated into lithological-stratigraphic traps, confined to the zone of unconformable adjacency of Eocene terrigenous-carbonate reservoirs to the eroded surface of Upper Cretaceous effusive formations.

Conclusions. The formation of lithological oil deposits in zones of increased fracturing of the regolith surface of the Upper Cretaceous effusive rocks – in the crest of the uplift – occurred as a result of lateral migration and partial flow of oil from the Eocene reservoirs of the south-west wing and south-east pericline – along weathering zones and cracks.

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