Assessment of the facial affiliation of local oil and gas objects based on geophysical data

In the established practice of geological exploration for oil and gas conclusions about the facies belonging of the rocks of oil and gas basins and individual exploration areas were made mainly on the basis of the study of core material. Recently for this purpose the results of seismic exploration and well logging have been used. Geophysical methods despite their obvious progress are indirect and intermittent core sampling and incomplete coring make facies analysis difficult. Тhe study of cuttings during the well logging process makes it possible to fill this gap through direct continuous observations along the well section. The use of the whole complex of geophysical methods allows one to mutually compensate for the limitations and disadvantages of each of them and more fully and reliably assess the genetic characteristics and reservoir potential of productive deposits. Sequential accumulation, comparison and analysis of heterogeneous geophysical data make it possible to continuously refine apriori facies models and forecast oil and gas content which ultimately allows to optimize the directions and volumes of drilling.

Cartographic support of tourist activities (map of the weekend route “Saratov in the movie” as an example)

The article provides an overview of the main types and features of cartographic support for the needs of tourists and tourist activities. An example of a modern thematic route is presented, as well as options for the compilation and layout of a tourist booklet. The research is aimed at popularizing regional tourism and attracting the attention of guests and residents of Saratov to non-traditional cultural and educational routes.

Spatial planning at the macro and micro levels: Problems of taxonomy and polarization (on the example of the Volga-Ural macroregion)

The issue of spatial planning includes the subject of taxonomy. It seems that it is necessary to switch to the practice of planning, in addition to the meso-level (subject of the Russian Federation), at two taxonomic levels: the macroregion and the economic microdistrict. To do this, the article identifies the main properties of these formations. On the example of the Volga-Ural macroregion the properties of integrity, complementarity and connectivity are analyzed. The idea of using micro-level nodal districts (economic micro-districts) is substantiated as objects of spatial planning. Territorial differences between economic microdistricts of the Saratov region are revealed.

Oil as the result of lithogenesis complicated by intensification of tectonic-hydrothermal activity (on the example of Western Siberia)

The paper is meant to prove that structural reconstruction of riftogenic basins is accompanied by the intensification of tectonichydrothermal activity. It controls the mobility of gaseous-liquid hydrocarbons during their primary and lateral migration in the process of deposit formation. The intensity index of tectonic-hydrothermal activation is equal to the ratio of maximum paleotemperatures of gaseous-liquid inclusions to the paleotemperatures calculated from vitrinite reflectance values. This parameter determined in the same intervals of a geologic section reflects the level of paleothermal incongruity in the natural system. It can be used to make predictive estimates of the areas for hydrocarbon materials. The values of this parameter vary in the range of 1.5–2.5 in promising riftogenic areas with the source rocks in the temperature zone of 80–160°С due to conducive heating.

Current problems in the North Caspian depression geology and oil and gas prospects

The deep structure and formation of the North Caspian (Precaspian) depression have not been fully understood due to the scarcity of depth studies at 18–22 km. The existing concepts and hypotheses are clearly insufficient to interpret the unexplained facts. New approaches and research efforts are necessary to solve the old problems. The current state of the depression deep structure problems is reviewed, and the existing explanation flaws are demonstrated. The depression consolidated crust has oceanic and riftogenic origin as it has been suggested by the author before. This explanation is supported by the Astrakhan deposit D-2 deep well core data. The Astrakhan-Aktobe zone arched uplift genesis, formation and role in the carbonate platforms emergence are discussed. Deep geothermy and fluid dynamics problems, as well as recent geophysical data are considered in view of the North Caspian depression hydrocarbon prospects.

Magnetostratigraphy of Turonian – Santonian strata on the Samara Right Bank

The paper presents the results of petro- and paleomagnetic studies of two sections of Turonian – Santonian on the Samara Right Bank – near Novodevichye, Podval’e villages and detailed geological description of the Novodevichye section. The magnetostratigraphic subdivision and detailed correlation of the sections were carried out. Unknown unconformity in the Podval’e section was recognized. Reverse polarity corresponds to a significant part of the Coniacian – Santonian deposits, the presence of which contradicts the existing ideas about the regime of the Turonian – Santonian geomagnetic field, but partly agrees with the data on deposits of the same age found in other sections in the Volga region.

Physical and geological model of the Shalkar earthquake focal zone

The Shalkar earthquake focal zone is characterized by the strongest earthquakes of all that occurred in the southeast of the East – European Platform. A physical and geological model has been developed, on the basis of which the parameters of the Shalkar earthquake focal zone have been determined, which can be used to assess the intensity of shaking from possible earthquakes. The relationship between earthquakes in the southeast of the East European platform and deformations in the mantle is shown.

Seismic gravimetric modeling in geological problems of Saratov region sections

Geological and geophysical modeling is a modern and classic method of processing and interpretation, which is relevant in the segment of geological exploration of any geophysical method. The article presents the material of two-dimensional modeling based on the results of gravity and seismic exploration in the licensed areas of the Saratov region.

Anomalous phenomena and geoecological situation in the Russian Far East

The development of the geosystems of the Russian Far East proceeds under the enormous but contradictory in nature double influence of the continent and the ocean and is carried out through the atmosphere. The goal is to characterize hazardous natural phenomena depending on the differentiated natural tension of the Far East (from maximum in the south to moderate in the north), often causing disasters and creating tense levels of the geoecological situation in general. The article presents comparative-geographical, geophysical, informational methods, as well as author’s development, etc. Further strengthening of the natural continentality of the entire region climate predetermines a directed increase in the geosystems development of the role of hazardous natural processes. If a sharp anthropogenic climate warming occurs, an accelerated rise in the level of the World Ocean is possible, which will cause increased abrasion, avalanches and landslides in the coastal zone. In case of a persisting general cooling, a general extremalization of the entire natural environment will occur. Crisis situations are, to a certain extent, predictable, which can help in optimizing rational nature management.

New data about Upper Jurassic formations of the Ulyanovsk-Saratov through and the northern part of the Peri-Сaspian Syneclise

A detailed description of the Upper Jurassic formations of the south of the European part of Russia, mainly restricted by the Kimmeridgian and Volgian stages, is given. The characteristic of the reference section is provided for the Vechkusy Formation, and the neostratotype is proposed for the Novikovka Formation. The criteria for drawing the boundaries of local stratigraphic units (formations) and the features of strata distribution are considered in detail. It is proposed to change the stratigraphic volume of the Vechkusy, Novikovka and Trazovo Formations, refusing to align the boundaries of the formations with those of stages and substages, and instead to use most clear and widely traced lithological boundaries for defining formations. The Undory Formation, which ends the Upper Jurassic section in the region, includes intervals which differ significantly in their lithologies, and the Kashpir Formation is used here for the area characterized by siliceous sedimentation during the late Volgian. Oxfordian spongolites of the Ulagan Mt. that are sharply different from the coeval strata of adjacent regions ascribed to as Prieltonskaya Member. Despite the fact that isochronous lithological markers are present within the region under consideration, the boundaries of the formations are more or less diachronous, due to both the presence of sedimentary breaks and the temporal sliding of lithological boundaries.