Petroleum potential of Baikal deposits

We analyzed oils, gases, and bitumens of bottom sediments from natural shows on the southeastern shore of Lake Baikal, in the mouth of the Stvolovaya River near Capes Tolstyi and Gorevoi Utes. Based on a set of geological data, we have established that: (1) the lake oils underwent biodegradation to a variable degree: “Fresh” nondegraded paraffin oil floats up near Cape Gorevoi Utes; in the mouth of the Stvolovaya River and near Cape Tolstyi, aromatic-naphthene oil lacks n-alkanes, monomethyl alkanes, and acyclic isoprenoids; (2) Cenozoic oil originated from the organic matter of fresh-water basins with significant amounts of higher land plant remains, including angiosperm plants (oleanane), which suggests the lake or delta genesis of oil source formations of Cretaceous and younger ages. Judging from the carbon isotope composition (average δ¹³C = −43.84‰), methane from the bottom sediments near Cape Gorevoi Utes is catagenetic. The initial in-place resources in the Baikal sedimentary basins are estimated by the volumetric-statistical method at 500 mln tons of equivalent hydrocarbons.     

On nonlinearity of petroleum formation

A nonlocal dynamic model of petroleum formation is used to explore possible causes and consequences of the nonlinear behavior of large petroleum systems. As a result of this nonlinearity, migration and accumulation of oil starts only after hydrocarbons in a reservoir reach a threshold amount. Significant differences in the amount of in-place resources in macroscopically similar petroleum systems may be associated with minor random changes in initial conditions.     

Geology and hydrocarbon resources of the continental shelf in Russian Arctic seas and the prospects of their development

The overall jump in global demand for gas, and especially oil, gives rise to particular concern regarding mankind’s energy future. In the middle and late 21st century, the crucial role in securing oil and gas supply of mankind will be played by sedimentary basins in the Arctic Ocean deep-water area, including those of the continental shelf in Russia’s Arctic seas. There is a 0.90 probability that the initial in-place resources of hydrocarbons in the Arctic Ocean will be greater than 90 Btoe. The estimates predict the rise of oil and gas industries on the Arctic shelves in the near future.     

Volgian–Early Berriasian Marginal Filter in the West Siberian Marine Basin and Its Influence on Sediment Distribution

Lithology and Mineral Resources - The West Siberian marine basin of the Volgian–initial Berriasian ages is described. It is shown that a marginal filter (according to A.P. Lisitsyn)...     

Organic Carbon Distribution in the Bazhenov Horizon Rocks of the Western Siberian Megabasin

The distribution of organic carbon in the Bazhenov horizon rocks of the western Siberian sedimentary basin is investigated. The organic carbon concentration in rocks is estimated by the results of core analyses (4094 core analyses) and by the calculations of the core-log data correlations (48 500 measurements) according to the data of radiation and electrical loggings. The average content of organic carbon in the rocks of the Bazhenov and Tutleim (lower subformation) formation is 7.7%. The map of organic carbon concentrations in the sedimentary rocks of the basin is constructed. In the basin, C_org is distributed asymmetrically. The region of maximum C_org concentrations occupies the southwestern part of the internal area of the sedimentary basin. Silicites and biogene silica-enriched mixtites are enriched with organic matter most of all.     

Distribution of organic matter in rocks of the Bazhenov horizon (West Siberia)

We studied the distribution of organic carbon in rocks of the Bazhenov horizon, a unique object of predominantly biogenic sedimentation in the West Siberian sedimentary basin. The contents of organic carbon in the rocks were determined using the data from 4094 core analyses and core-log relationships derived from 48,500 radioactive- and electrical-log measurements. For the Bazhenov and Tutleima Formations, both approaches gave the same results. The average content of organic carbon in the rocks is 7.7%. These data were used to compile a detailed map of the distribution of organic carbon contents in sedimentary rocks of the basin. It was shown that the average organic carbon content in the rocks increases from 2-4% on the periphery of the basin to 10-12% in its central, deepest part. The distribution of C_org values in the basin is highly asymmetric. The highest C_org values are observed in the southwestern part of the basin interior, where beds with > 10% C_org range in thickness from 5 to 12-15 m. In sections, the highest C_org values are observed in their middle and upper parts, composed predominantly of silicites and mixtites enriched in biogenic silica.     

The Bazhenov Horizon of West Siberia: structure,correlation, and thickness

The type sections of the Bazhenov Horizon and formations recognized within this horizon have been identified based on a comprehensive analysis of paleontological, lithological, geophysical (well-log and CDP seismic data), and geochemical data on the West Siberian Basin. The Bazhenov Horizon was traced throughout the entire West Siberian sedimentary basin. The criteria for the recognition of the top and base of this horizon within the stratigraphic equivalents of the Bazhenov Formation were suggested. The proposed facies-stratigraphic zonation of the Bazhenov Horizon reflects the spatial location of all formations identified within this horizon. As seen on the newly proposed thickness map, the Bazhenov Horizon reaches a thickness of 15-25 m within the Bazhenov and Tutleim Formations, 30-35 m within the Mulym’ya Formation, 30-45 m within the Danilov Formation, 40-65 m within the Mar’yanovka Formation, up to 100 m within the Golchikha Formation, > 350 m within the Yanovstan Formation, up to 35 m within the Bagan Formation, and 35-40 m within the Maksimkin Yar Formation. A marginal filter (according to A.P. Lisitzin) has been identified along the East Siberian land.