Baku 2019

III International Conference

South Caspian Sub-Regional Basin Evaluation

A. Javadova* (Azerbaijan Society of Petroleum geologist)

Summary
During this study the part of the South Caspian Basin covering the Absheron, Shah Deniz, Umid-Babek,
Nakhchivan, and Zafar-Mashal structures was investigated in terms of size of structures and their development
over time. Our prime focus was to investigate the structural development of the five structures based on isopach
and paleo-structure maps created for Top Pereryva (Fasila) stratigraphic level. All structures started forming
during Akchagyl time, with Shah Deniz and Nakhchivan structures being most prominent, and Absheron and
Umid-Babek being slightly less pronounced at this stage. Structural growth continued throughout late Pliocene
and Pleistocene time. Zafar-Mashal structure was formed slightly later, primarily during Pleistocene time.
Structures at Top Pereryva (Fasila) stratigraphic level were present accordingly, although due to higher
subsidence rates in the southern part of the South Caspian basin area more or less pronounced. Absheron
structure bears a relatively high risk of not being closed towards North in up-dip direction, Nakhchivan structure
bears a similar risk towards Northwestern side, however not as clear due to data limitations. Shah Deniz and
Umid-Babek structures are regarded similar with respect to their structural growth history, whereas Shah Deniz
structure overall is more pronounced. Zafar-Mashal overall forms a structure only during Pleistocene.

III International Conference “Geology of the Caspian Sea and adjacent areas”
Baku, Azerbaijan, 16-18 October 2019
 Baku 2019
III International Conference

Introduction
The South Caspian basin lies between the Greater Caucasus and Greater Balkan fold belts on the
north and Lesser Caucasus, Elbrus and Kopet Dag fold belts on the south (Kerimov, et al., 1991). The
South Caspian basin is a highly promising oil- and gas-bearing province. The basin is a part of the
eastern portion of the Pre-Tethys Sea which began to develop during the Early Paleogene time with
Alpine-Himalayan orogenic movements (Buryakovskiy, et al., 2001). South Caspian basin is young,
cool (<2 0 C) with deep source rocks (@ 8-12 km) and still HC generating today (Smith-Rouch,
2006).
Progress in the oil- and gas-producing industry is related closely to the improvement in
exploration techniques and increase in discovery rates. The South Caspian Basin has high
number of confirmed structures. The study was initiated in order to compare a selection of
structures in the Azerbaijan part of the South Caspian Basin. Fig.1
Method and material
The seismic database comprised 2D seismic data, from early 90th, covering the area with a
regular grid of 5 km by 5 km. The overall orientation in general meets the structural strike
and dip and we do not exclude locally quite some deviations causing problems. The location
of wells off the seismic grid in areas of steep dips hindered from a reliable well to seismic tie.
Furthermore, this caused problems in accurate time to depth conversion, as well as in
generating reliable velocity field prediction. The well database/locations are quite
questionable in terms of actual location of the wells, because we used public information. The
same is valid for check shots and deviation data, which were incomplete or completely
lacking. The location of wells off the seismic grid in questionable in dips hindered from a
reliable well to seismic tie. Furthermore, this caused problems in accurate time to depth
conversion, as well as in generating reliable velocity field prediction

Fig.1. South Caspian Basin Offshore Azerbaijan, Area of Investigation and Data base

Seismic interpretation and depth structure maps

Interpretation included Sea floor;Top Apsheron;Top Akchagyl;Top Surakhany;Top Balakhany;Top
Pereriva; Intra Kirmaky and Source rock interval.. Structure map generated for Top Pereriva – the
mnin reservoir layer. Fig.2. The structures within the study area were compared with respect to their
size and structural height, area - depth tables were generated for all structures except Zafar-Mashal.

III International Conference “Geology of the Caspian Sea and adjacent areas”
Baku, Azerbaijan, 16-18 October 2019
 Baku 2019
III International Conference

Fig.2. Depth Structure map Top Fasile and Bathymetry

Shah Deniz Apsheron Shah Deniz Apsheron

Umid Babek
Umid Babek

Zafar Mashal Nakhchivan

Zafar Mashal
Nakhchivan

All isopach maps are displayed using the same color scale with red (thin) – yellow – green – blue
(thick). The deepest intervals interpreted are Top Source rock, which is recognized in seismic as a
more or less clear unconformity. It may represent the Pontian Unconformity, which terminates the
Maykop and Diatom Suites. Maykop is the main source rock in the South Caspian Basin, and may
actually be located deeper in the section. Fig.3.

Fig. 3. Seismic characteristics of interpreted deepest events.

The overall structural development of the area, similarities and differences to the adjacent of
Umid-Babek structure, the Nakhchivan, Shah Deniz, Zafar-Mashal, and Absheron structures
with respect to timing of structuring and structural integrity. Fig.4. The structuring continues
during lower Apsheron at similar extent, affecting now Umid-Babek stronger at similar extent
like Shah Deniz and Nakhchivan. Absheron and Zafar-Mashal are still less affected. Strike-
slip movements are getting enhanced with a second transfer fault. During upper Apsheron and
post Apsheron periods uplift of structures continues, the region of maximum subsidence
however migrates from S to N, resulting in an enhanced uplift and pronunciation of Zafar-
Mashal structure. This is as well reflected in the current seafloor map

Fig.4 Key seismic sections

Apsheron Shah Deniz Umid Babek Nakhchivan
SW NE SW NE SW NE SW NE

Top Pereryva Top Pereryva

Top Pereryva
Top Pereryva

TWT TWT TWT TWT

Figure 5 summarizes the structural activity over time for the structures investigated in relation to the
stratigraphic interval.

Fig.5. Iopach maps, Structural timing and Trap development

III International Conference “Geology of the Caspian Sea and adjacent areas”
Baku, Azerbaijan, 16-18 October 2019
 Baku 2019
III International Conference

Formation Isopach Maps → Structural Timing Fasila-Isopach Maps → Trap development

Interval: Top Surakhany to Surakhany I Interval: Top Akchagyl to Top Surakhany Interval: Top Akchagyl to Top Pereryva Interval: Top Apsheron to Top Pereryva

Thin Thick Thin Thick High Low High Low

Conclusions
The timing of structure formation was investigated using isopach maps of approximately
equidistant intervals over the Pliocene and Pleistocene period. Most of the structures are
indicated already rather early as slight anticlines, however with very limited height. Main
structuring occurred during Akchagyl Fm. where most of the structures show very
pronounced stratal thinning. Thinning is comparable over Nakhchivan and Shah Deniz, in the
beginning slightly less pronounced over Absheron and Umid-Babek. Zafar-Mashal at this
stage is almost not visible, main uplift here occurred during Pleistocene. Absheron and Umid-
Babek show increasing growth during Apsheron, comparable to Nakhchivan and Shah Deniz.
Anyhow, basically all structures show similar uplift from Akchagyl onward, and thus are in
place with onset of hydrocarbon migration, only Zafar-Mashal is younger. Nevertheless, as
hydrocarbon generation is ongoing, there is little difference between the structures with
respect to timing.
Regarding the presence of structures at Top Pereryva level over time, which was investigated
using isopach maps between younger horizons and Top Pereryva, the timing of structuring is
confirmed. However, due to overall tilting of the South Caspian Basin with higher subsidence
rates towards S, Absheron structure has to be regarded critical, as a closure towards N is not
always very clear, and spilling is regarded a risk. This is by far less critical in Shah Deniz and
Umid-Babek, and it is questionable due to the limited data density for Nakhchivan. Fig.6
Fig.6 Apsheron, Umid-Babek and Nakhchivan structural data

Area Depth Graph

Area Depth Graph Area Depth Graph
Area (km²)
Structural Spill Nakhchivan X1 5000
-5700 -5800
-5900 0 50 100 150 200 Umid 4 -6000 0 50 100 150 200 250 5500
-6100 -6200
Depth (m)
Depth (m)

Structural Spill Point

Depth (m)

6000 excl. MV
-6300 Umid 6 -6400 Nakhchivan 1
-6500 6500 incl MV
-6600
-6700
-6800 7000
-6900
-7000
-7100 7500
-7200
Area (km ²) 0 50 100 150 200
Area (km ²)

Apsheron Structure: Nakhchivan:

Umid Babek:
-Elongated NW-SE -Elongated N-S trending
-Elongated NW-SE
trending anticline anticline
trending anticline
-Crestal faults (Str. Slip) -Major thrust faults and
-Major thrust faults SW
-Northern & Southern major mudvolcano
flank & Crestal faults
Compartment Area of shallow -Structural data:
-Western & Eastern Sub
-Structural data for mud volcano (Poor Crest: 5001 m
Apsheron 1A structures, Mudvolcano seismic data quality)
Northern Part: Spill: 7056 m
-Structural data:
Crest: 6068 m Closure height: 2111 m
Crest: 5936 m
Spill: 6820 m Structural Spill Point Clos. area: 194.7 km²
Spill: 7050 m
Closure height: 752 m (Incl. MV)
Closure height: 1114 m
Clos. area: 145.42 km² Clos. area: 198.35 km²
(North Flank, Excl. MV)

Key Results
Apsheron: early timing but risk of spill to ACG fields. Southern compartment drilled dry.
Recent drilling showed commercial discovery in northern part. Complex fault pattern En
echelon strike slip.
Nakhchivan: Timing like Shah Deniz & Umid-Babek, but reservoir quality insufficient (distal
facies, possible Kura paleoriver influence); risk of part time open structure to NW (Dashly,
Sabail). Well Nakhchivan X1 drilled with minor HC shows.
Umid-Babek: Timing & shape like Shah Deniz, always distinct closure. Babek untested.
Recent drilled wells showed commercial HC discovery.

III International Conference “Geology of the Caspian Sea and adjacent areas”
Baku, Azerbaijan, 16-18 October 2019
 Baku 2019
III International Conference

References

Buryakovskiy, L.A., Chilingar, G.V., AminZadeh, F. (2001). Petroleum Geology of the South
Caspian basin. Gulf Professional publishing imprint of Butterworth–Heinemann, USA: p.410
Kerimov, V.Yu., Khalilov, E.A., Mekhtiyev, N.Y. (1991). Paleogeographic conditions of the
formation of the South Caspian depression during the Pliocene in relation to its oil and gas
potential. Geologiya nefti I gaza № 10, Baku: p. 5-8 (In Russian)
Smith-Rouch, Linda S. (2006). Oligocene–Miocene Maykop/Diatom Total Petroleum System
of the South Caspian Basin Province, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. US geological
survey, Bulletin 2201-I: p.27

III International Conference “Geology of the Caspian Sea and adjacent areas”
Baku, Azerbaijan, 16-18 October 2019