Biostratigraphy of Paleocene-Eocene deposits of the Ukrainian Carpathians based on planktonic foraminifera

Paleogene deposits are the main reservoir of hydrocarbon resources in the Carpathians and creation of the modern stratigraphic scheme of these deposits is the basis for improving the efficiency of geological search works. The reliable stratification is a necessary precondition for the preparation of geological maps. Stratification of the Paleocene–Eocene sediments is provided by foraminifera, nannoplankton, dinocysts, radiolarians, sponge spicules, palynoflora. Planktonic foraminifera is the main stratigraphic group of the Paleogene fauna. In the predominantly non-calcareous flysch of the Paleocene–Eocene of the Carpathians, mainly agglutinated benthic foraminifera of siliceous composition are developed. Planktonic foraminifera are distributed locally – in calcareous facies. The most complete sequence of Paleocene–Eocene planktonic foraminifera is represented in the Metova Formation (the Vezhany nappe of the Inner Carpathians). The results of own researches of natural sections of sediments distributed within the Magursky, Monastyretsky and Vezhany nappes of the Ukrainian Carpathians together with the analysis of literature sources are used. The article presents a generalized biozonal division of the Paleocene–Eocene of the Ukrainian Carpathians by planktonic foraminifera. On the basis of certain correlation levels, a comparison with the Geological Time Scale was made. The Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina Zone (lowermost Danian), Globoconusa daubjergensis Zone (middle Danian), Praemurica inconstans Zone (upper Danian); Morozovella angulata Zone (lower Selandian); Globanomalina pseudomenardii Zone fnd Acarinina acarinata Zone (upper Selandian–Thanetian); Morozovella subbotinae Zone (lower Ypresian), Morozovella aragonensis Zone (upper Ypresian); Acarinina bullbrooki Zone (lower Lutetian), Acarinina rotundimarginata Zone (upper Lutetian); Hantkenina alabamensis Zone (Bartonian); Globigerinatheka tropicalis Zone (lower Priabonian) and Subbotina corpulenta Zone (upper Priabonian) based on planktonic foraminifera are characterized in studied deposits.

The formation and criteria of oil- and gas-bearing potential of hydrocarbon accumulations of the Western oil-gas region of Ukraine

In the paper we have analysed hydrocarbon deposits of the Western region according to their belonging to the tectonic zones, stratigraphic complexes, types and depths of occurrence. The law-governed nature of alteration in physical-chemical properties of oil and gas, hydrogeological and geochemical peculiarities of productive thickness were studied, haloes of the distribution of gas of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon composition outcrops of fluids were mapped. Problems of the formation of hydrocarbon accumulations were considered. According to the results of integrated analysis of different geological factors, besides the main factors of oil and gas presence – structure, reservoir, cover – additional criteria were proposed. In the direction to the deposit, the nitric-methane gases are changed into sufficiently methane and hydrocarbon-methane ones, and values of saturation pressure are comparable to the formation pressure. Indication of oil-gas presence are water-soluble organic matters of oil origin: bitumen, phenols, hydrocarbons, naphthenic acids as well as the presence of condensation waters or their mixture with formational waters. Probable indicators of hydrocarbon accumulations are sulfides of zinc, lead, copper in rocks. For the existence of the deposits the hydrogeological closing of the bowels is necessary: small velocities of the formational waters, their high mineralization, metamorphism intensity, chlorine-calcium type of waters. Natural oil-gas showings as a reflection of deposits that occur at a depth serve as criterion for estimation of prospects of the oil-gas presence in the open territories. The example of substation of prospecting objects is given according to criteria of the oil-gas presence in the platform autochthone under the overthrust of Pokuttia-Bukovyna Carpathians.

Consumption of combustible minerals in the context of the targets of sustainable development of Ukraine and global environment changes

An analysis of Ukraine’s sustainable development targets, in particular in the field of energy, resource management and environmental protection, are presented. It is shown that regional energetic is a determining factor for achieving the aims of sustainable development. Changes in the natural environment in Ukraine due to external (global) and internal (local) factors that are intertwined and overlapped can cause threats to socio-economic development. It is proved that in the areas of mining and industrial activity a multiple increase in emissions of pollutants into the environment are observed. The comparison confirmed the overall compliance of the structure of consumption of primary energy resources (solid fossil fuels, natural gas, nuclear fuel, oil and petroleum products, renewable energy sources) in Ukraine and in the European Union, shows a steaby trend to reduce the share of solid fuels and natural gas and increasing the shares of energy from renewable sources. For example, in Ukraine the shares in the production and cost of electricity in 2018 was: the nuclear power plants – 54.33 % and in the cost – 26.60 %, the thermal power – 35.95 and 59.52 %, the renewable energy sources – 9.6 and 13.88 %. The energy component must be given priority, as it is crucial for achieving of all other goals of sustainable development and harmonization of socio-economic progress. The paper systematizes the indicators of regional energy efficiency and proposes a dynamic model for the transition to sustainable energy development of the region.

Geochemistry of fluids: innovative solution of the fundamental problem

First of all, was developed a reliable mass spectrometric method for studying fluid inclusions in minerals (on the basis of the author’s certificate of the USSR No. 454446 of 1974 for the invention of the “device for cleaning the content inclusions of solid materials”). Were created and published new scientific directions: 1. Thermobarometry and geochemistry of gases of veinlet-impregnated mineralization in sediments of oil and gas regions and metallogenic provinces. 2. Bowels of the Earth – natural physicochemical reactor. Was developed a “method (technology) for determining the prospects of oil and gas bearing of the local area” and “a method (technology) of local forecasting of enriched areas of gold-ore fields” (together with M. M. Davydenko). Was established unknown before, but objectively existing phenomenon of the material world: 1) “lack of molecular hydrogen in inclusions in minerals in the bowels of the planet Earth” (together with V. A. Kaliuzhny). Independently were established: 2) previously unknown “property of deep abiogenic methane-termobar high-temperature fluid decompose-convert natural organic residues into layers of coal with their simultaneous methane saturation and its conservation in the earth’s crust of the planet Earth”; 3) previously unknown natural “phenomenon of arbitrary formation of natural carbon methane in the coal layers of the earth’s crust of the planet Earth under the influence of abiogenic methane-containing high-temperature fluid with their conservation in them”; 4) previously unknown different chemical properties of carbon isotopes in natural processes of synthesis-formation of various carbon-containing compounds ...; 5) “previously unknown pattern of natural processes of synthesis of perfect diamond crystals from astenospheric carbon dioxide ions...”. Was justified “a new way to determine the calorification of natural gas supplied to consumers and its cubic-metre barometry”.

Substandard carbon-containing raw materials and methods of their thermochemical processing

The analysis of the structure of consumption of primary energy resources in the world and in Ukraine are carried out. It is shown that in recent decades the share of coal is stable at 25–30 % and does not show a tendency to decrease. Similar patterns are observed in Ukraine too. It is established that in Ukraine the energy potential of reserves of substandard carbon-containing raw materials is commensurate with the deposits of conditioned coal and can be used to increase the country's energy security. At the same time, the deterioration of environmental indicators in the world and in Ukraine requires an increase in the level of environmental safety in the use of carbon-containing raw materials and appropriate environmental modernization of its thermochemical conversion methods. The paper reviews the methods of thermochemical processing of substandard carbon-containing raw materials (pyrolysis and coking, hydrogenation, gasification) and shows that the gasification process, which allows processing of various substandard fuel resources in terrestrial and underground conditions, is the most promising for environmental safety use. It is shown that developed terrestrial gasification methods are characterized by insufficient productivity of gas generators, significant capital costs for their installation and negative impact on the environment. In addition, terrestrial processing of low-quality coal is not a waste-free technology and does not solve the problem of “secondary” gasification residues recycling. Some of these shortcomings can be eliminated by using the method of underground gasification, in which there is no need to extract coal to the surface, and secondary waste remains underground.

Prospects for oil and gas presence of Lower Sarmatian deposits in the north-western part of the Outer zone of the Carpathian foredeep (by hydrogeochemical and hydrodynamic indicators)

The hydrogeochemical parameters of the Lower Sarmatian aquifer of the north-western part of the Outer Zone of the Carpathian Foredeep have been studied. The waters of the chloride-calcium type (according to the classification of V. O. Sulin) are dominated. Other types of water are distributed locally. On the basis of the calculated genetic coefficients, the conclusion on sedimentogenic conditions of their forming during a geological history of the region is made. It is established that the general tendency for the deposits of the Outer Zone is increasing of TDS of water with depth and stratigraphy. The waters of the north-western part of the Outer Zone are characterized by reduced values of sulfate content and sulfation coefficient rSO42– • 100/rCl–, indicating the conditions of hydrogeological closed structures. The genetic index of formation water metamorphism (rNa+/rCl–) is mainly inversely dependent on TDS. Its values greater than one are inherent in waters of hydrocarbonate-sodium and sulfate-sodium types, which are not typical for the hydrocarbon deposits. The nature of fluctuations in the values of the chlorine-bromine coefficient is fully consistent with other hydrochemical parameters and the results of paleohydrodynamic reconstructions. A detailed analysis of the current hydrodynamic situation of Lower Sarmatian aquifer in combination with geochemical features and paleohydrodynamic reconstructions allowed to identify the perspective structures of the studying region. Our forecasts for the gas potential of the Krukenychy depression are consistent with the forecasts of researchers of Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas. The results of their research are based on gravitational field anomalies.

Innovative technologies of the prospecting for mineral deposits based on data of fluid inclusions research

The innovative approach to the development of prospective technologies (methods) was substantiated on crystallogenic and physicochemical principles of the knowledge of mineral forming environments (fluids) (thermobarogeochemistry – mineralofluidology – fluid inclusions) as a new branch of geological knowledge within the framework of the new scientific direction in the geology – «thermobarometry and geochemistry of gases of veinlet-impregnated mineralization in deposits of oil- and gas-bearing areas and metallogenic provinces» as a natural phenomenon of the Earth’s lithosphere. According to him, the creation of radically new technologies and realization of prospecting for mineral deposits (first of all hydrocarbons and gold) simultaneously with the elucidation of the problem of genesis and synthesis of hydrocarbons at the atomic-molecular level fixed by such defects in the mineral crystals as fluid inclusions. Developed technologies, namely: determination of genesis of hydrocarbon gases; determination of prospects of oil and gas presence of a local area; local forecast of enriched areas of gold ore fields; express determination of potassium ions in inclusions for identification of gold-enriched and barren veinlet formations, – belong to the branch of the exploration geology and geochemistry and are used to ascertain genetic guestions, to solve tasks of the mineralogical-geochemical prediction and prospecting for mineral deposits in the local structures of oil- and gas-bearing areas and metallogenic provinces. The comparison of fluid inclusions of veinlets and host rocks based on the sections of a number of wells has shown the considerable possibilities of the developed technologies and prospects of the usage of thermobarogeochemical-mineralofluidological indicators in the complex with the geochemical and geophysical (petrophysical) methods, data of geological survey, deep-seated drilling while predicting hydrocarbon deposits in the local structures of the sedimentary strata promising for oil and gas and making necessary amendments in the directions of the following geological-prospecting works.

Dynamics of lithogenesis of Phanerozoic sedimentary sequence of the Carpathian-Black Sea region in the aspect of their oil- and gas-bearing potential

The objective of this work was to study the environments and processes of ancient sedimentation in the epi- and mesopelagic basins of the Carpathian-Black Sea region and to clarify the conditions of oil and gas basins formation within the study region as well as the main aspects of hydrocarbon generation. The burial history of the basins, some aspects of their fluid regime, issues of lithogenetic record, features of transformation of sedimentary basins into the rock-formation basins and the development of the latter during the Phanerozoic are considered. The spatial and temporal peculiarities of the evolution of epi-mesopelogic systems and their influence on the formation of oil- and gas-bearing strata within the Carpathian-Black Sea region have been studied. It has been established that in the sedimentary basins of the Carpathian-Black Sea continental margin of the Tethys Ocean during the long geological history the different intensity structural and morphological changes took place: changes of the subsidence rate of the basin bottom, inversion uplifts, sedimentation pauses, deformation of the sedimentary fill. This was reflected both in the peculiarities of the development of sedimentary environments and in the processes of substance differentiation with the formation of certain post-sedimentary mineral-structural parageneses. It was proved that discrete processes of differentiated compaction and defluidization of sediments cause a number of deformation phenomena, which can be reflected in the features of the morphology of the sedimentary basin bottom, influencing the nature of sediment transportation and accumulation. On the basis of the conducted investigations a number of practical results were obtained which will allow forming new approaches to criteria of hydrocarbons prospecting, in particular the lithophysical aspect which is concentrated on the reservoir properties of rocks; sedimentary reconstructions and the diversity of cyclicity of the studied sediments as a factor of the establishment of prospective areas, reconstruction of the burial history, which provides an information on the state of transformation of organic matter and hydrocarbons, and therefore the range of prospective depths for oil and gas occurrence.

Geochemical features of Eurasian evaporites in the context of the chemical evolution of seawater in Phanerozoic

Studies of evaporites provide new data to characterize the seawater chemistry in the Early Paleozoic and Middle Mesozoic. In particular, we studied the fluid inclusions in halite from Ordovician (China) and Cretaceous (Laos) evaporites. The corresponding sections on the plot of Ca/SO4 oscillations curve in the Phanerozoic seawater are updated. The calcium content in seawater concentrated to halite precipitation stage was 45.6 mol %, 485 million years ago and 24.3 mol % 112.2–93.5 million years ago. By analyzing the previously published and new factual material, it is established that in Permian evaporites the sulfur isotopic composition is inversely correlated with the sulfate ion content in evaporite basin brines. Thus, the evolution of seawater chemistry in Permian is confirmed by the evolution of the isotopic composition of dissolved seawater sulfate. According to the generalization of 38 Phanerozoic marine evaporite formations, it was found that the peculiarities of the clay minerals associations correlate with the change of the seawater chemical type. Clay minerals associations precipitated from the SO4-rich seawater are characterized by a larger set of minerals, among which smectite and mixed-layered minerals often occur; Mg-rich clay minerals (corensite, paligorskite, sepiolite, talc) also occur. Instead, in the associations of evaporite clay minerals formed from the Ca-rich seawater are represented by the smaller amount of minerals, and Mg-rich minerals are extremely rare. The increased content of magnesium in seawater of SO4-rich type is the main factor in the formation of Mg-rich silicates in evaporites. The composition of clay minerals associations depends on the evaporate basin brine concentration; with its increase, unstable minerals are transformed, which theoretically leads to a decrease in the number of minerals in the associations. However, it was found that evaporite deposits of higher stages of brine concentration often still contain unstable clay minerals – products of incomplete transformation of a significant amount of pyroclastic material from coeval volcanic activity. The main factor determining the composition of clay minerals associations of Phanerozoic evaporites was the seawater (and basin brines) chemical type. Geochemical studies of scattered organic matter and fluid inclusions with hydrocarbon phase in evaporites of the Upper Pechora Basin (overlying oil and gas deposits) indicate the presence of allochthonous bitumoids and allow to use this method to predict oil and gas potential of other areas. Analysis of the results of oil and gas exploration in a number of areas of the Transcarpathian Trough indicates the presence of fluid-saturated reservoirs and the prospects for the discovery of new accumulations of hydrocarbons. Geochemical studies proved the effectiveness of gas-flow survey method for oil and gas exploration, assessing the prospects for fluid saturation of seismic structures.

Distribution of chemical elements in peat deposits of the Lviv Region

The article is devoted to the study and interpretation of the content of chemical elements in peats of Lviv Region. It is known that peat has a pronounced ability to physical sorption and chemisorption, as a result it is able to accumulate a significant amount of metals, including dangerous – heavy, toxic and radioactive. Peat is used as an energy raw material, in recent years – as a raw material for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Thus, this geochemical research has scientific and applied importance for a wide range of industries and for environmental monitoring. The range of peat applications directly depends on the concentration of trace elements. The basic geochemical characteristics of peat lowland type in Lviv Region were found out. In general, the content of elements in the studied peat has concentrations lower than сlarkes in comparison with the lithosphere, soils and terrestrial plants. Lithophilic Sr, Yb, Be, Ba, siderophilic Mo, Co, and chalcophilic Pb, Ag are actively concentrated in comparison with clarkes in the lithosphere, soils, plant ashes and relative to background values in the soils of Ukraine. According to the results of a comprehensive analysis of the content of microelements in lowland peats of Lviv Region, three elements with high concentration were identified – Molybdenum, Strontium and Lead. Significant uneven distribution of microelement concentration with depth and area of distribution and high indicators of Mo, Yb, Sr, Be, Co, Ag, Ba, Pb relative to clarkes of lithosphere, soils, plant ash, etc. have been established. Comparison of patterns of accumulation and scattering of elements in peat with lithosphere, soils and terrestrial plants shows that peat is characterized by its own specific set of storage elements, there are specific patterns of accumulation and scattering of elements. Thus, peat has a clear geochemical structure that distinguishes them from mineral soils and lithosphere.