Hydrocarbon potential and prospects for exploration of Eastern Arctic oil and gas deposits

Conditions for the formation of hydrocarbon systems and prospects for searching for accumulations of oil and gas in the waters of the Eastern Arctic are considered. Significant hydrocarbon potential is predicted in the sedimentary basins of this region. All known manifestations of oil hydrocarbons are installed on land adjacent to the south, as well as on the east of the shelf. The East Arctic waters are included in a single model in order to perform an adequate comparative analysis of the evolution of hydrocarbon systems. The purpose of the research was to build space-time digital models of sedimentary basins and hydrocarbon systems, and to quantify the volume of generation, migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbons for the main horizons of source rocks. To achieve this goal, a spatiotemporal numerical basin simulation was carried out, based on which the distribution of probable hydrocarbon systems was determined and further analyzed. Following to the data obtained the most probable HC accumulation zones and types of fluids contained in potential traps were predicted. Keywords: numerical space-time basin modeling; modeling of hydrocarbon systems; evidence of oil and gas presence; Eastern Arctic; elements of hydrocarbon systems; oil and gas reservoirs; migration; accumulation; perspective objects

The application of basin modeling of oil and gas systems for seismogeological projects for assessment of hydrocarbon potential and risks of exploration work

In this article, the methodology of basin modeling was systematized and the sequence of solutions to the applied problems related to the forecast of deposits of oil and gas was updated, and the applicability of basin modeling to traditional regional projects was evaluated.

Conditions of the Formation Gas Deposits in the Epart of the Dnieper-Donets Basin: Integration of Basin Modeling Data with Consequences of Strike-Slip Faulting Effects

Since 1950, when the megascale Shebelinka deposit was found in the north-eastern portion of the Dnieper-Donets basin (DDB) this district has been served as a heartland of the hydrocarbon extraction in Ukraine. Right now, this area is again facing a new wave of commercial interest. Most conventional hydrocarbon plays here contain natural gas and liquid gas accumulated in numerous clastic and fractured horizons throughout Carboniferous to Lower Permian successions. The numerical basin modelling in the Donbas segment indicated that organic-rich sediments are thermally mature in the deep levels of the basin. Our interpretation of the structural patterns within the study area suggests that the kinematic development of the fracture sets is consistent with the model of development of subsidiary structures within the dextral strike-slip zone. Nearly all gas and gas condensate fields in the eastern part of the DDB may be classified as naturally fractured reservoirs in fault-breached anticlinal traps associated with releasing jogs in strike-slip assemblages. Gaseous hydrocarbons generated in deep "gas window" compartments have escaped here via several fracture corridors forming "sweet spots " sites. The main objective of this contribution is to get an insight into the style and structural trends of formation structural traps of hydrocarbons which in concert with basin modeling technologies will ensure proper technical decisions for the efficient exploration and production of gas reservoirs. This research summarizes new insights into gas deposits formation in the eastern part of DDB based on a synthetic approach ascertaining a vital connection of basin modeling results with the spatial distribution of kinematically induced releasing jogs which facilitating magnified fluid-and-gas conductivity.

Preservation and Destruction of Accumulations in Petroleum Systems of Western Margin of East European Craton

The offshore segments of the Pre-Dobrogea foredeep is absolutely unexplored, there is no a single well penetrated Paleozoic units within offshore areas. This study, a deep dive into petroleum system evolution of similar foredeep basin based on a 3D basin modeling was performed in order to get understanding of petroleum systems and geology of offshore segment of Pre-Dobrogea. Western edge of East European craton is about 1450 km takes from Western Black sea shore to Southern shore of Baltic sea. This area within Ukraine includes Pre-Dobrogea foredeep basin, Pre-Carpathian foredeep basin (Bylche-Volytsa foredeep), Lviv Paleozoic basin and extensive Paleozoic margin called Volyno-Podillia area (Figure 1). All mentioned basins have similar sedimentary history, similar dynamics of tectonic evolution, proven petroleum systems of almost the same age, discovered commercial and sub-commercial accumulations and are heavily underexplored and undervalued. 3D basin modeling as a primary exploration technique was applied to mentioned basins in order to identify common features in tectonic development, in sedimentation and evolution of petroleum systems. Identified basins’ similar features now could be extrapolated to underexplored formations and areas within the study area. Figure 1 Western margin of East European Craton with marked areas of study (edited after Mikołajczak, 2016)