Depositional environments of the northeastern Yenisey-Khatanga sedimentary cover in relation to assessment of hydrocarbon prospects

Abstract

Background. Although the recent years have seen a significant increase in the amount of geological and geophysical data on the oil and gas potential of the Yenisei-Khatanga trough, no notable hydrocarbon discoveries have been made within its northeastern part. This is primarily related to a lack of understanding of the development of sedimentary basins, along with the processes of oil and gas generation, migration, and accumulation. This determines the need to generalize and analyze the accumulated geological, geophysical, and geochemical data within the framework of a comprehensive basin analysis and revision of the existing geological models.Aim. Elucidation of the evolution of sedimentary basins in the northeastern part of the Yenisei-Khatanga trough and the adjoining Anabar-Khatanga saddle; updating the geological model of the sedimentary cover for further assessment of hydrocarbon systems.Materials and methods. Development of a numerical geologic model of the Yenisei-Khatanga trough and the adjoining Anabar-Khatanga saddle based on available publications and engineering reports. A basin analysis and paleogeographic reconstructions for the main time steps of sedimentary cover evolution.Results. The evolution of the sedimentary basins under study has been reconstructed, and the main stratigraphic units in the development of hydrocarbon systems have been identified. Depositional environments supporting the development of the essential hydrocarbon system elements have been delineated for further hydrocarbon system modeling and geological risk assessment.