Unconventional Hydrocarbon Complexes of the Eastern Azerbaijan

Abstract

Summary Sedimentary complex within East Azerbaijan is composed of a series of stratigraphic complexes that may contain non-conventional hydrocarbons. These complexes include the Eocene rocks (Kounian formation), Oligocene-Lower Miocene (Maikop series), Middle-Upper Miocene (diatomaceous suite). Study area is related to geodynamic active eastern segment of the Greater Caucasus of Alpine-Himalayan fold orogenic belt at the junction of the North and the South Caucasian microplates. Lithologically the most part of these deposits are mainly composed of thickness of dark-grey shale or hard clay with rare stratified sands and sandstones. The conducted studies allowed the authors for the first time to take a fresh look at the sedimentary complex of Paleocene-Miocene deposits within Eastern Azerbaijan. Rocks of Paleogene-Miocene age in Kounian, Maikop and diatomaceous suites within the study area with available geological-geochemical factors allow us to consider this complex as a prospective one in terms of accumulation and formation of “shale” HC fields.