Deep CMP seismic surveying along the Tatseis-2003 geotraverse across the Volga-Ural petroliferous province

The objective, methods, and main results of deep CMP seismic surveying along the Tatseis-2003 geotraverse are discussed. This geotraverse crosses the Volga-Ural petroliferous province from the northwest to the southeast for more than 1000 km and is linked with the well-known Uralseis-95 geotraverse by an additional profile. The main objective of this surveying was to study the structure of sedimentary cover and the Earth’s crust as a whole in the North Tatar Arch, Kazan-Kazhim Trough, Kotel’nich Arch, and the southeastern Moscow Syneclise in comparison with the petroliferous South Tatar Arch. The applied technology (telemetric stations, powerful vibrators, a 12-km spread, a common midpoint fold of 60, and a recording time of 20 s), the planning of seismic exploration with consideration of the available geological and geophysical information, and special processing of the data—all this provided the high-quality time sections that allowed solution of the geologic problems. The main scientific and applied results of the investigations are establishment of the links between petroleum resource potential of the sedimentary cover and the structure of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle. These data are of basic importance and testify to the considerable role of deep factors in the formation of hydrocarbon fields. After these factors are tested in other regions, the revealed indications may be used in petroleum exploration. The tectonic nature of inclined reflectors in the Earth’s crust and upper mantle is substantiated. It is shown that the near-vertical dynamic anomalies are caused by real geologic bodies. A complex of investigations is proposed for their further interpretation. The deep seismic surveying along the geotraverse fulfilled its task completely. At the same time, the results obtained allow recommending lines of further research and their methods. It would be expedient to perform generalizing scientific research aimed at coordinating the Uralseis-95 and Tatseis-2003 geotraverses in order to develop a common profile from the Urals to the Moscow Syneclise, provide complex interpretation of these data, and integrate the results of the previously performed deep CMP seismic surveying.