Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

New Ideas on the seismic Structure and Petroleum Potential of the Northwest Caucasian Region

2012. №4, pp. 50-55

Popkov Ivan V. - Student, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya st., Krasnodar, Russian Federation, 350040, geoskubsu@mail.ru.

The article presents novel concepts on the seismic structure and petroleum potential of the northwest Caucasus region, basing its morphological analysis on revealed geophysical and geological data. With respect to the latter, it says the structures were formed in a lateral compression atmosphere exhibiting frontal thrusts and asymmetric anticlines. According to the paper, the faults in the anticlines have depths of hundreds of meters. These structural geological dislocations, in the critique’s view, could contribute to a more focused search for oil and gas. In addressing the structural geological challenges of the northwest Caucasus, the research work makes maximum use of all available geological and geophysical data. However, at this stage, the document warns the reader that, given the poor exposure of many northwest Caucasian locations, the proffered geological data might contain some errors. Moreover, there are many cases where mutually exclusive interpretations of the same structural data have been provided. Under these circumstances, special attention should be paid to the fairly objective, seismic data available on the deep structures in the region. Seismic analyses have been conducted on the northwest Caucasian region’s structural features, starting in the 1970s and continuing through recent years. In this respect, the report says that attention should be paid to two profiles: 130/520 (Western) and 130/521. The former runs for some 31.0 km along the meridian from Novorossiysk (30 km north of it) and crosses two major geological structures: Krasnogorsk Gladkovskaya and Keslerovskuyu. By contrast, Seismic profile 130/521 is 34.0 km long and follows the same orientation as 130/520. It runs from the Krymsk meridian (10 km south of it) and crosses the Neberdzhaevskuyu structure. Subsequently, it passes through the Sheptalskuyu, Ukrainian and Ukrainian-ABIN areas. Both profiles commence in the northern sector of the West Kuban basin.

Key words: folds,thrusts,tectonic stress,oil and gas

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