Lithofacies controls on hydrocarbon potential of Pliocene-Quaternary sediments in the Lower Kura Depression (Kurovdagh-Neftchala anticline zone)
Abstract
Background. The section of the Lower Kura Depression fields mainly consists of the sediments of the Productive series (PS). The thickness of PS sediments is about 4000 m, and consist of molasse formations. Based upon the analysis of well and seismic data obtained in the study area, the lithological-facies, reservoir properties and oil and gas potential of the sediments of the Productive series (PS), Absheron and Aghjagil stages were estimated. Methods. Using well data and computer programs the lithological composition and distribution of the Baku stage, Quaternary, modern, and Gadim Khazar sediments by area were studied. The thicknesses and lithology of the productive layers, horizons were studied both in the fields and along the study zone, and the regularity of the change in the reservoir properties updip and lateral directions was determined. Results. The results of the analyses show that the change in the composition, thickness and lithology of the reservoirs of the sediments developed in the zone from northwest to southeast along the Kurovdagh-Neftchala anticline uplift zone located in the southwestern part of the Lower Kura depression does not obey a certain regularity, but a decrease in the values of their physical parameters is noted against the general background. Conclusions. The study confirms that the hydrocarbon potential of the Pliocene-Quaternary succession in the Lower Kura Depression is largely governed by lithofacies distribution and depositional heterogeneity within the Kurovdagh–Neftchala anticline zone. Sand-dominated facies formed in channelized and deltaic environments constitute the principal reservoir units, whereas laterally extensive fine-grained intervals perform an effective sealing function. The spatial relationship between lithofacies architecture and anticline geometry indicates that hydrocarbon accumulation is controlled by the combined effects of sedimentary processes and structural deformation. This relationship allows the delineation of the most prospective intervals within the studied succession and supports the application of lithofacies-based models in further exploration of the Lower Kura Basin.
Related
- Legacy PCB and hydrocarbon reservoirs in estuarine sediments: from historical contamination to hidden mass hotspots
- Rare earth element geochemistry and resource potential of alluvial sediments from the Mugheb watershed, Cameroon volcanic line
- Late Quaternary drainage reorganization of the Sutlej River system at the Himalaya mountain-foreland transition
- Particle morphology and electrostatic screening shape salinity-dependent flocculation and settling of fine blasted tunnel sediments
- Dual Nd isotopic archives in fossil teeth reveal bottom-current control of rare-earth element enrichment in deep-sea sediments
BibTeX
@article{ganbarova2026lithofacies,
title = {{Lithofacies controls on hydrocarbon potential of Pliocene-Quaternary sediments in the Lower Kura Depression (Kurovdagh-Neftchala anticline zone)}},
author = {Shura Ganbarova},
journal = {Вісник Київського національного університету імені Тараса Шевченка. Серія Геологія},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.17721/1728-2713.114.05},
url = {https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.114.05},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lithofacies controls on hydrocarbon potential of Pliocene-Quaternary sediments in the Lower Kura Depression (Kurovdagh-Neftchala anticline zone)
AU - Shura Ganbarova
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Вісник Київського національного університету імені Тараса Шевченка. Серія Геологія
DO - 10.17721/1728-2713.114.05
UR - https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.114.05
AB - Background. The section of the Lower Kura Depression fields mainly consists of the sediments of the Productive series (PS). The thickness of PS sediments is about 4000 m, and consist of molasse formations. Based upon the analysis of well and seismic data obtained in the study area, the lithological-facies, reservoir properties and oil and gas potential of the sediments of the Productive series (PS), Absheron and Aghjagil stages were estimated. Methods. Using well data and computer programs the lithological composition and distribution of the Baku stage, Quaternary, modern, and Gadim Khazar sediments by area were studied. The thicknesses and lithology of the productive layers, horizons were studied both in the fields and along the study zone, and the regularity of the change in the reservoir properties updip and lateral directions was determined. Results. The results of the analyses show that the change in the composition, thickness and lithology of the reservoirs of the sediments developed in the zone from northwest to southeast along the Kurovdagh-Neftchala anticline uplift zone located in the southwestern part of the Lower Kura depression does not obey a certain regularity, but a decrease in the values of their physical parameters is noted against the general background. Conclusions. The study confirms that the hydrocarbon potential of the Pliocene-Quaternary succession in the Lower Kura Depression is largely governed by lithofacies distribution and depositional heterogeneity within the Kurovdagh–Neftchala anticline zone. Sand-dominated facies formed in channelized and deltaic environments constitute the principal reservoir units, whereas laterally extensive fine-grained intervals perform an effective sealing function. The spatial relationship between lithofacies architecture and anticline geometry indicates that hydrocarbon accumulation is controlled by the combined effects of sedimentary processes and structural deformation. This relationship allows the delineation of the most prospective intervals within the studied succession and supports the application of lithofacies-based models in further exploration of the Lower Kura Basin.
SN - 1728-2713
SN - 2079-9063
ER -