O.I. Merkulov, V.P. Stenin, S.Yu. Malyavin, V.B. Shcheglov, S.V. Sizintsev
Lower Permian subsalt deposits of the Astrakhan arch: promising focus area for oil and gas exploration in south-west of Caspian region
DOI 10.47148/0016-7894-2024-2-29-40
Key words: Caspian Depression; Astrakhan Arch; Lower Permian deposits; oil; gas; petroleum potential; hydrocarbon resources; focus areas of geological exploration; subgranular reservoir; shale gas; shale oil.
For citation: Merkulov O.I., Stenin V.P., Malyavin S.Yu., Shcheglov V.B., Sizintsev S.V. Lower Permian subsalt deposits of the Astrakhan arch: promising focus area for oil and gas exploration in south-west of Caspian region. Geologiya nefti i gaza. 2024;(2):29–40. DOI: 10.47148/0016-7894-2024-2-29-40. In Russ.
For several decades, field of work related to prospecting for oil, oil and gas, and oil and gas condensate accumulations in the Lower Permian subsalt series of the Astrakhan Arch has remained omitted. Drilling exploration and production wells at the Astrakhan gas condensate field resulted in obtaining hydrocarbon commercial inflows and shows in the lower Perm subsalt interval. According to lithological composition and features of oil and gas accumulation in the Lower Permian subsalt interval, two sequences are clearly distinguished, namely: Lower Asselian–Sakmarian-Artinskian and Upper Filippovsky. First of them is represented by siliceous-argillaceous-carbonate deposits, and can be considered as a source of shale gas and shale oil. The Filippovsky part is represented by carbonate formation with complicated distribution of reservoir properties. Hydrocarbon resource potential of these deposits in the study area is estimated at 413.4 MMTOE including 350.3 MM tons of oil and 55.8 BCM of free gas. Because of the occurrence of active and highly organic-reach oil and gas source series in the Lower Permian interval, prediction of reservoir development and distribution will be a key aspect of prospecting and appraisal works. Structural factor will not be decisive in planning exploration and prospecting activities.
Oleg I. Merkulov ORCiD
Candidate of Geological
and Mineralogical Sciences,
Managing director
NVNIIGG,
70, ul. Moskovskaya, Saratov, 410012, Russia
e-mail: MerkulovOI@rusgeology.ru
Vladimir P. Stenin ORCiD
Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences,
Advisor to Director General
Tvel Rosatom, RusWellGroup
49, sh. Kashirskoye, Moscow, Russia
e-mail: VPStenin@rosatom.ru
Sergei Y. Malyavin ORCiD
Director General
AstraN,
7, ul. Turgeneva, Astrakhan, Russia
e-mail: s.malyavin@ws-capital.com
Valerii B. Shcheglov ORCiD
Candidate of Geological
and Mineralogical Sciences,
Head of Sector
NVNIIGG,
70, ul. Moskovskaya, Saratov, 410012, Russia
e-mail: ScheglovVB@rusgeology.ru
Sergei V. Sizintsev ORCiD
Head of Department
NVNIIGG,
70, ul. Moskovskaya, Saratov,
410012, Russia
e-mail: SizintsevSV@rusgeology.ru
1. Astrakhan carbonate massif: structure and its oil and gas perspectives. In: Yu.A. Volozh, V.S. Parasyna, eds. Moscow: Nauchnyi Mir; 2008. 221 p. In Russ.
2. Volozh Yu.A., Gogonenkov G.N., Deliya S.V., Korchagin O.A., Komarov A.Yu., Rybal’chenko V.V., Sibilev M.A., Stenin V.P., Pykhalov V.V., Titarenko I.A., Tokman A.K. Hydrocarbon potential of deeply buried reservoirs in the astrakhan oil and gas accumulation zone: problems and solutions. Geotectonics. 2019;53(3):299–318. DOI: 10.1134/S0016852119030087. In Russ.
3. Solov’ev B.A., Kondrat’ev A.N., Levshunova S.P. State and prospects of oil and gas exploration activity in the joint zone of Pre-caspian depression and Karpinsky ridge. Geologiya nefti i gaza. 2010;(4):31–38. In Russ.
4. Bochkarev A.V., Bochkarev V.A. Katagenez i prognoz neftegazonosnosti nedr [Catagenesis and prediction of oil and gas occurrence in subsurface]. Moscow: VNIIOENG; 2006. 321 p. In Russ.
5. Bochkarev A.V., Deliya S.V., Karpov P.A., Samoilenko G.N., Stepanov A.N. Opyt predlitsenzionnoi otsenki perspektiv neftegazonosnosti [Experience in pre-licensing assessment of oil and gas prospects]. Geologiya nefti i gaza. 2001;(2):7–12. In Russ.
6. Postnova E.V., Oreshkin I.V., Pisarenko Yu.A., Sizintseva L.I. O sostoyanii resursnoi bazy nefti i gaza Prikaspiiskoi megavpadiny [On the state of the oil and gas resource base of the Pre-Caspian megadepression]. Nedra Povolzh’ya i Prikaspiya. 2001;(27):7–12. In Russ.
7. Merkulov O.I., Titarenko I.A., Sizintsev S.V. Lines of development of the hydrocarbon mineral resource base in the south-western part of the Caspian petroleum province. Mineral’nye resursy Rossii. Ekonomika i upravlenie. 2022;(3–4):15–22. In Russ.
8. Solov’eva B.A., Yurel’ G.N., Pavlinova N.V. Rol’ vulkanicheskikh protsessov v formirovanii podsolevogo kompleksa na yugovostoke Prikaspiiskoi vpadiny [The role of volcanic processes in the formation of the subsalt complex in the southeast of the Caspian depression]. Izvestiya vuzov. Ser. Geologiya i razvedka. 1991;(1):16–23. In Russ.
9. Postnova E.V., Oreshkin I.V., Merkulov O.I., Gontarev V.V., Potapov M.A. Perspektivy neftegazonosnosti Srednego Kaspiya po rezul’tatam basseinovogo modelirovaniya [Prospects for oil and gas content of the Middle Caspian based on the results of basin modeling]. In: Nastoyashchee i budushchee syr’evoi bazy morskoi neftegazovoi promyshlennosti Rossii : tezisy dokladov mezhdunarodnoi nauchnoprakticheskoi konf-ii (Sankt-Peterburg, 16–19 march 2004). St. Petersburg; 2004. pp. 65–67. In Russ.
10. Volozh Yu.A., Abukova L.A, Rybal’chenko V.V., Merkulov O.I. Formation of Oil and Gas Fields in Deep Hydrocarbon Systems: Outline of a Universal Search Concept. Geotektonics. 2022;56(5):27–49. DOI: 10.1134/S0016852122050090. In Russ.