Nonconventional hydrocarbon targets in the crystalline basement, and the problem of the recent replenishment of hydrocarbon reserves

Abstract

Analysis of the distribution of oil pools in sedimentary cover has shown that known platform hydrocarbon fields are closely associated with faults in the crystalline basement and the sedimentary cover itself. Oil pools in the lower productive beds of the sedimentary cover are linked to faulted zones in the crystalline basement. A genetic relationship between oil fields and tectonic dislocations indicates a dominant role for vertical migration in the accumulation of commercial hydrocarbons in the Paleozoic. The conducted geochemical, palynological, geophysical and geological studies have shown that oil and gas pools in the upper sedimentary cover have been formed due to the vertical migration of hydrocarbons, which is also confirmed by the vertical alignment of the oil pools. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.