An integrated approach to assessment of petroleum potential and geological characteristics of the West Siberian oil and gas basin’s eastern edge within the limits of Noyabrsk region

Abstract

Background. Decline of oil and gas traditional reserves pushes companies to explore and involve in production complex reservoirs which results in exploration risks increase. That is why an exploration research has to be integrational and its’ main result has to be determination and decreasing uncertainties. Aim. The aim of this research is the planning of further exploration program within the studied territory, based on the main uncertainties and trends in geological development. Materials and methods. Several types of research methods were applied, including field observation, laboratory analysis and geological desktop studies. The results of petroleum systems modeling is the basis for source rocks maturity prediction, the main stages of hydrocarbons generation — migration and critical moment estimation. It also provided the analysis of migration distance (limits) and geological risks related to it, petroleum saturation prediction for the main plays. Great emphasis was also placed on the search and processing of additional archival data, which made it possible to significantly detail the structural-tectonic framework of the studied area. Results. Consistent progression in field observation, laboratory analysis and geological desktop studies allowed to narrow the range of uncertainties, clarify the chance of geological success (gCOS), plan the further exploration program, and highlight higher-priority license blocks. As a result, more than 60 additional prospects were identified, for each of them both the probabilistic estimation of oil and gas resources and chance of geological success evaluation were made. Moreover, the further exploration program was approved. Conclusions. Therefore, the study allowed to analyse main uncertainties and correct further exploration program on the basis of integrated analysis of geological development history and geological structure of the studied area.