Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
t
From the Basin's flank framework toward its central deep-
water area (as the marine content increases), the original
hydrocarbon in-place reserves density of local structures
(
Q
d
, MMT of oil equivalent/km
2
) consistently decreases to
practically zero hydrocarbon saturation (Anikeyev, 1964).
t
In local structures north of Ajikabul-Mardakyany,
Apsheron-Balkhan, south of Sangachal-Ogurchin sublati-
tudinal and west of sublongitudinal West-Turkmenistan,
deep-seated faults do not include large commercial hydro-
carbon aggregations.
t
Not a single field was discovered offshore with the top of the
Productive Sequence (Red-Bed Sequence) over the struc-
ture's crest at depth deeper than 1,700-1,750 m. The only
exception is the Shahdeniz prospect with the Productive
Sequence top at 1,875 m over the structural crest; we discuss
the causes later.
Timely consideration of these issues would have spared the operator
companies from geologic and financial losses. It would have prevented
them from executing contracts with the Azerbaijan State Oil Company
(SOCAR) for the exploration and development of
a fortiori
unproductive
structures in the west and south of the Baku Archipelago. These contracts
were: in 1997, block Lyankaran-Deniz - Talysh-Deniz (Total-Fina-Elf,
OIEK, Wintershall), prospect Nakhchyvan (ExxonMobil); in 1998, block
Kyurdashi-Araz-Deniz (Agip, Mitsui, ТРАО); in 1999, block Ateshgyakh -
Yanan Tava - Mugandeniz (JAOC, which is a consortium of Japanese
companies Japex, Inpex, Itochu, Teikoku); in 2000, block Zafar - Mashal
(EAOC, which is consortium of ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips). These
contracts have been terminated due to negative results.
In the process of exploration and appraisal of all stated prospects, the
anticipated resources of 1.77 BT of oil equivalent (including 600 MMT
of oil and 1.17 TCM of gas) have not been confirmed. These results do
not inspire optimism regarding the active contract on the adjacent Inam
prospect (ВР, Shell) with forecast oil reserves of 90-100 MMT and
the sus-
pended contract on the Savalan - Dalga - Lerik-Deniz - Djanub prospects
(ВР) in the same southern area. The stated anticipated oil reserves incre-
ment there is about 120 MMT and gas reserves increment is 100 BCM.
Not unexpected was the negative result in well 1-Oguz of the Apsheron-
Balkhan Sill (ExxonMobil) with anticipated reserves of up to 120 MMT of
oil, the reason being a long-known absence there of a closed structural trap.
The Apsheron prospect in the extreme eastern part of the South-Apsheron
Trough also turned out “empty”. The COPAL
consortium
(Chevron and
