An Organic Geochemical and Basin Modelling Study of the Lower Kura Depression, Azerbaijan: Implications for Deep Petroleum Occurrences

• The executive companies: Geology Institute, TUBITAK MARMARA RESEARCH CENTER
• The year of publication: July 1995
• Code: 53-1-004
• Volumes: total 1
   volumes with appendixes in same amount: -

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The main objectives of this study have been to investigate the vertical extent of oil window to aid future exploration of deeper horizons in the Lower Kura Depression. Additionally, determinations of possible source rocks that contributed to oil accumulations, timing of oil generation from these source rocks and characterization of petroleum occurrences in the study area have been investigated.

In this study, we approach the problem by utilizing detailed organic geochemistry of oils and available source rocks (from boreholes and rocks ejected from mud volcanoes) and computer-aided modeling which simulates physico-chemical and geological processes.

Detailed organic geochemical data on 26 crude oil samples from nine oil fields and some hydrocarbons extracted from the rocks of the Eocene-Pliocene sequence in the Lower Kura Depression of the South Caspian Basin are presented.

Oil accumulations seem to be associated with all of the potential reservoir rocks within the Miocene-Quaternary stratigraphic sequence which consists of alternating shale (siltstone) sand beds of a typical prograding delta. Paleogene and Cretaceous rocks, lying at depths greater than 6-6.5 km, have not been penetrated by drilling; however, they have been brought to the surface by mud volcano activities. This provides a unique opportunity to study the organic geochemical properties of these older units.

CONTENTS

(i) List of Tables
(ii) List of Figures

1. INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF STUDY

2. GEOLOGY

2.1 Geologic Setting

2.2 Stratigraphy

2.3 Structural Geology

2.4Mud Volcanoes

3. PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
 

3.1 Source Rocks

3.2 Reservoir Rocks

3.3 Traps

3.4 Oil Fields

4. PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY
 

4.1 Samples and Analytical Methods

4.1.a Rock Eval Pyrolysis and LECO TOC

4.1.b Visual Kerogen Analysis

4.1.c Vitrinite Refelectance Analysis

4.1.d Sulfur Analysis

4.1.e Geochemistry of Oils and Soluble Organic Matter (SOM)

4.1.e.1 Gas Chromatographic (GC) Analysis

4.1.e.2 Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopic (GC-MS) Analysis

4.1.f Carbon Isotope and Infra-red Spectroscopic Analyses of Gases and Oils

4.2 Results and Discussion

4.2.a Potential Hydrocarbon Source Rocks

4.2.b Type of Organic Matter and Source Rocks Facies

4.2.c Thermal Maturity of Oils and Potential Source Rocks

4.3 Summary and Conclusions

5. BASIN MODELING
 

5.1 Outlines of the Modeling Approach and Modeled Wells

5.2 Conceptual Model and Input

5.2.a Boundaries of Study Area

5.2.b Events and Layers

5.2.c Paleobathymetry and Sediment/Water Interface Temperatures

5.2.d Heat Flow Considerations

5.3 Simulation Results and Interpretation

5.3.a Burial History

5.3.b Thermal History

5.3.c Maturation History

5.3.d Hydrocarbon Generation History

5.4 Summary and Conclusions

6. CONCLUSIONS

7. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

REFERENCES

TABLES

FIGURES


APPENDICES

1. Structural Maps
2. GC-Chromatograms and Mass Fragmentograms of Oils and Bitumens

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