Black Sea-Caspian Region Research Articles

Президентские выборы в Азербайджане и политика Запада в отношении Баку

The article examines the policy of the United States and the EU towards Azerbaijan, especially after its “anti-terrorist measures” in Nagorno-Karabakh, caused by a new round of escalation of the conflict, as well as the reaction of Azerbaijan to Washington and Brussels actions. The author gives an analysis on the extremely offensive and proactive policies of both Washington and the European Union, acting in the format of the Transatlantic Partnership. At the same time, the consistency of Washington’s policy in the region is noted, which is clearly manifested in the implementation of its policy towards this country, especially in the context of its increasing interest on the side of the U.S as well as the EU taking into account the role and importance of the Black Sea-Caspian region that is becoming extremely important for the United States in the context of the current relations between the Russian Federation and the West. At the same time, it would be quite impossible to ignore growing subjectivity of Azerbaijan which is gaining momentum in the context of its geopolitical significance both for the United States and the EU, guided, in general, by its national priorities coupled with pragmatic considerations.

Сведения о Кавказе в сочинении «Краткое изображение лежащих между Черным и Каспийским морями земель и народов»

In the second half of the 18th century, Russian printed sources remained the most vivid and comprehensible form of «necessity» for the study of the territory, peoples and neigh-bouring countries of the Russian Empire. For the study of the ethno-political picture of the Caucasus in the 18th century they are the key. As a rule, these sources are based on confessional considerations and represent the population of the Caucasus as Christians or Muslims. It is often difficult to determine which ethnicity is being referred to. An exception is the work of Y. Я. This work is of a particular interest because it contains informa-tion about the Caucasus and its inhabitants, as well as a general description of the ethno-political history of the Caucasian region. The content of the historical material is the basis for the scientific study of relations between rulers of administrative and political units of Georgia, Dagestan and Eastern Transcaucasia. At the same time there is a lot of information in the source about political influence of Iran and Ottoman Empire on the situation in the region. These data allow us to reconstruct some episodes of military and political history of the Black Sea-Caspian region in the second half of the 18th century.

Sedimentary basin analysis: Black Sea–Caspian Region

Sedimentary basin analysis: Black Sea–Caspian Region

Oil and gas potential of the eocene-paleocene deposits of the Black Sea-Caspian region based on basin analysis and bm&psm modeling

Background. Issues associated with the investigation of hydrocarbon prospects of the Paleocene-Eocene section of the sedimentary cover in the Black Sea-Caspian region are considered.Aim. Assessment of the oil and gas potential of the Paleocene-Eocene deposits under consideration.Materials and methods. A comprehensive basin analysis concerning petroleum system concepts based on published geological, geophysical and geochemical data, as well as paleogeographic reconstructions, geological mapping and database creation with subsequent BM&PSM accomplishment.Results. The identified and examined substantive Paleocene-Eocene petroleum systems were assessed in terms of geological risks with the purpose of recognizing the most promising areas for further exploration.

The significance of the raw factor in the formation of the regional international system of the Black Sea-Caspian region

The article is devoted to the importance of the raw material factor in the formation of the regional international system of the Black Sea-Caspian region. The Black Sea-Caspian region in many historical times was a zone of increased geopolitical interest of many countries. For more than a decade, the modern world has felt a contradiction in the views on the position regarding problems in this region, which is primarily due to conflict situations that are determined by the problems of the international legal status of the Black Sea-Caspian region. This is due to the use of sea routes, production and transportation, logistics for the movement of hydrocarbon resources, environmental issues, as well as the problems of escalating geopolitical tensions in this region.

Formation conditions of sedimentary basins in the Black Sea–Caspian region

The article discusses formation conditions of sedimentary basins in the Black Sea–Caspian region. The system of basin-like structures includes three mega basins—Precaspian, Mysian and Aegean, and two large basin systems—Scythian–Turan and Black Sea–South Caspian. In the Paleogene–Neogene, shaping of sedimentary basins was connected with the formation of a foredeep ahead of the front of the Greater Caucasus folding. The longitudinal strike of the belt of the basin-like structures in the north of the region under consideration obeys the general strike of the zone of interaction between the Greater Caucasus folding orogeny and the Scythian Platform, which points at the dominating, at least, in the center, submeridional vectors of the regional stresses responsible for the formation of the piedmont mega basin. Farther from the mountains and toward the platform, the basin-like structures in the study region degrade, and sedimentation in the platform area, where sedimentation is geologically possible, occurs not like a basin but like a mantle.

Tectonic zonality of sedimentation cover in the Black Sea–Caspian Region

The article focuses on modeling tectonic zonality of the sedimentation cover in the Black Sea–Caspian Region, and addresses the identification and validation of the Late Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Alpine and recent-time geodynamically active structures. The modeling shows that the significant events, which governed the evolution features of the geodynamically active structures, correlate with the recent time. That is the time when such sedimentation basins as Terek–Caspian, Indol–Kuban, Eastern Kuban and Karkinit have finally set. The first three basins in this list occur in the zones of the reverse geodynamic regime, with dominant extension and downwarping within the limits of cratons, and belong to the Black Sea–Caspian geodynamically active structure. The Karkinit basis belongs to the Scythian geodynamically active structure with generally compressive tectonics, dominant upheaval or relative stabilization. The tectonic features have had the critical influence on both formation of the sedimentation cover of the basins and spatial distribution of minerals.

Regularities of hydrocarbons accumulations in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian region

The article considers the regularities in the distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian region associated with the evolution of generation-accumulation systems developed in the plate cover of the region. The plate cover, as well as elements of the Mesozoic generationaccumulation systems, began to form in the structure of the Alpine structural-geodynamic systems. An analysis of the areal distribution of structural-geodynamic systems shows that the maximum development of sedimentary basins correlates with the transgressive Cretaceous period, which is characterized by the expansion of the areas of pre-existing basins and the emergence of new depocenters. In this case, two groups of basins are distinguished. The first includes the Karkinitsky, Bolshekavkazsky, West Kuban, Central and Tersko-Caspian basins. The second group includes depocenters Indolsky, East Kuban, Berdyansk, North Azov, West Stavropol, Gudilovsky, Ustyurtsky. The most significant events that determined the features of the evolution of generation-accumulation systems correlate with the latest time. Keywords: Black Sea - Caspian region; development of sedimentary basins; structural and geodynamic system; tectonic conditions; signs of oil and gas content.

Generation and emigration of hydrocarbons in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian region

As part of the assessment of the prospects for oil and gas potential in the study area, numerical modeling of generation and accumulation systems was performed, as a result of which the centers of hydrocarbon generation located within sedimentary basins were identified. Based on the levels of modern maturity and OM transformation of the established and proposed oil and gas source rocks, as well as the estimates of the specific densities of hydrocarbon emigration at 5 stratigraphic levels, independent generation centers were identified: Middle Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, Eocene, Maikop and Miocene. Variations in the sinking rates of basins at different stages of their development had a critical impact on the realization of their generation potential by oil and gas source strata. As a result, source rocks of the same age in the basins overcame the critical moment at different times and by now have realized their potential to varying degrees. In basins with low subsidence rates, there is a delay in the emigration process with respect to generation, which is not typical for basins with high rates. The main promising complex within the study area is Cretaceous deposits, the hydrocarbon saturation of which is provided both by its own source rock and by flows from deeper horizons of the sedimentary cover. The second most important are the Paleogene complex. Keywords: Black Sea-Caspian region; Meso-Cenozoic complex; cata-genetic zoning; modern maturity of deposits; degree of transformation of organic matter; generation; emigration; critical mome.

Influence of structural-geodynamic systems on formation and distribution of hydrocarbon potential of the Black Sea-Caspian region

The article considers the results of the reconstruction and analysis of the geodynamic conditions for the formation of the main elements of their structure in the Black Sea-Caspian region, expressed in the features of the distribution of its structural-geodynamic systems of different ages. As structural-geodynamic systems, sets of elements of the block and zonal structure of the upper part of the earth's crust (basement and sedimentary cover) are considered, united by the same type (general) reaction from an external or internal source of tectonic energy in relation to the system during a certain phase of tectogenesis. The results of the research indicate that the predominantly offshore deep-water Black Sea and South Caspian provinces are controlled by tectonic megadepressions formed in the Alpine and recent epochs of tectogenesis. At the same time, both provinces include in their internal structure both elements that arose at different stages of Alpine and recent structure formation, and fragments of older plate and folded structures, reworked in these epochs and buried under Cenozoic or Cretaceous-Cenozoic deposits, to varying degrees. The latter, in turn, partially or completely control the position and configuration of the oil and gas regions within these provinces. Keywords: structural and geodynamic systems; sedimentary basins of different ages; oil and gas source strata; prospects for oil and gas potential; phase composition; hydrocarbon potential.

Modeling of hydrocarbons migration and accumulation processes in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian Region

The article is devoted to the study of the processes of migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian region. The results of the modeling made it possible to study and model the processes of migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons in hydrocarbon systems in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian region. All simulated petroleum systems are characterized by migration from the main reservoir, which lies directly above the simulated oil and gas source stratum, to the overlying ones. This is due to the peculiarities of the formation of sedimentary formations under conditions of alternating regressions and transgressions. The factor stimulating migration is the active tectonic regime of the studied sedimentary basins. Based on the modeling results, the conclusion about the wide development of hydrocarbon flow processes is consistent with the presence of multilayer deposits. It has been established that extended catagenetic zoning is typical for subsidence areas, which is due to the high rates of sedimentation and subsidence, and, accordingly, the large thickness of oil source deposits in the oil formation focus. Keywords: Black Sea-Caspian region; modeling; migration; accumulation; oil and gas source strata; deposit; sediments; organic matter.

Zones of hydrocarbons generation in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian region

As a result of the studies carried out within the study area, four areas of stable subsidence (basin) were identified during the entire period of the formation of the plate cover: Karkinitsky, Indolo-Kubansky, East Kubansky and Terek-Caspian. Each of the basins is characterized by a unique evolution, which manifests itself in differences in the tectonic regime and sedimentation rates. This determined the features of the geological structure of the basins, the sources of generation within them and the critical moment characterizing the process of generation - migration - accumulation of hydrocarbons in the system. Overcoming the critical moment occurs in the centers of hydrocarbon generation, when more than 50% of hydrocarbons emigrated from the source rock and accumulated in traps. As a rule, the sources are confined to the most submerged parts of the sedimentary basin, in which the deposits are in more severe thermobaric conditions. Keywords: sedimentary basin; hydrocarbon system; generation source; plate cover; tectonic regime; sedimentation rate; basin analysis.

Forecast of hydrocarbons accumulations in the Meso-Cenozoic complex of the Black Sea-Caspian region from modeling results

As part of the analysis, it was found that in the Mesozoic, the basins under study were partly part of the Black Sea-South Caspian basin system, and at the later stages of evolution, some of them were involved in tectonic dislocations and, from the point of view of modern tectonic zoning, are partly part of the Alpine folded system. zones. The performed analysis made it possible to establish the main stages of the formation of the sedimentary section, to identify the depocenters of sedimentation on each of them and to reconstruct its evolution. As a result of the studies within the study area, four areas of stable subsidence (basin) were identified during the entire period of formation of the plate cover: Karkinitsky, Indolo-Kubansky, East Kuban and Terek-Caspian. Each of the basins is characterized by a unique evolution, which manifests itself in differences in tectonic mode, sedimentation rates. This determined the features of the geological structure of the basins - differences in the ratio of the thicknesses of the main sedimentary complexe. Keywords: sedimentary basin development analysis; Scythian-Turanian basin system; oil and gas prospecting trends; troughs; deposits; regression; sedimentation; subsidence graph.

Deep Structure and Geodynamics of the Black Sea–Caspian Region

Deep Structure and Geodynamics of the Black Sea–Caspian Region

Influence of modern geodynamic processes on the structure and tectonics of the Black Sea-Caspian Region

The article considers the monitoring results of long-term geodynamic observations, on the basis of which the concentration areas of elastic stresses and strains in the depositional sequence, displacement of geodetic coordinates of on the Earth’s surface, as well as the variations in electric and magnetic fields are studied. The authors analyzed the results of the magnetometric studies to identify the seismomagnetic effect and assessed the stress–strain behavior of seismogenic areas. To observe the changes in the Earth’s surface due to geodynamic processes, we used high-precision GPS measurements carried out using the differential method and the so-called GPS base stations. From the comparison of earthquake parameters and based on the geological model of the sedimentary cover with regard to the seismic data of the common depth point (CDP) method, we conclude that the earthquakes recorded in the Black Sea–Caspian region in 2006–2010 occurred on the border between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic levels and within the Cenozoic interval of the geological section. Degassing monitoring based on the geophysical observatories of mud volcanoes indicates that the gas regime and degassing in the region are closely related to the impact of modern geodynamics on the evolution of the surface and deep shells of the Earth, as well as on the accumulation of combustible minerals. The studies were supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under State Contract No. 075-00069-20-01 (the basic part of the state contract in the field of scientific activity).

Modern Geodynamic Processes and Their Impact on Replenishment of Hydrocarbon Resources in the Black Sea–Caspian Region

Modern Geodynamic Processes and Their Impact on Replenishment of Hydrocarbon Resources in the Black Sea–Caspian Region

Integration potential of the Black Sea-Caspian region as an axis of integration in the Eurasian region

Integration potential of the Black Sea-Caspian region as an axis of integration in the Eurasian region

Анализ влияния Атлантико-Европейских крупномасштабных атмосферных мод на зимние аномалии температуры воздуха приземного слоя в Черноморско-Каспийском регионе

The manifestations of the main large-scale atmospheric processes, typical for the Atlantic–European sector, in winter air temperature anomalies in the Black Sea–Caspian region (40–50 °N 28–50 °E) were clarified according to the atmospheric reanalysis NCEP 20CR V2c data at an isobaric surface of 1000 hPa for 1851–2014. After removing the linear trend, the air temperature anomalies in December-January were decomposed into empirical orthogonal functions (EOF). It is shown that the first three leading EOFs describe ~ 96% of the total air temperature variability. The first EOF is a manifestation of the East Atlantic – Western Russia mode. The second EOF is due to the North Atlantic Oscillation. The third EOF corresponds to the Scandinavian pattern.

КОНЦЕПЦИЯ БАЛТО-ЧЕРНОМОРСКОЙ ДУГИ И УКРАИНСКАЯ ВНЕШНЯЯ ПОЛИТИКА (1990-Е - НАЧАЛО 2000-Х ГГ.)

The article analyzes the influence of the concepts of the Intermarium and the Baltic-Black Sea Arc on the formation of Ukraine’s foreign policy in 1990 – early 2000. The use of these concepts in American, European and Ukrainian geopolitical thought, which historically included the idea of opposing Russian influence in the region, contributed to the increase in tension and was aimed at further disintegration of the Western flank of the post-Soviet space. The article proves that the design of the Euro-Atlantic vector of Ukraine’s foreign policy was already active under the first two Ukrainian presidents – Leonid Kravchuk (1991–1994) and Leonid Kuchma (1994–2005). One of the concrete attempts to implement the idea of forming a common political, economic, transport and logistics space of the Black Sea-Caspian region with a promising expansion of the cooperation zone to the whole of Eastern Europe and the Eastern Baltic during the presidency of Leonid Kuchma was the foundation and launch of a new regional organization, Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, better known as GUAM (composed by the initial letters of names of member states – Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova; when Uzbekistan was also a member of Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, the name of the organization was GUUAM), which is an alternative to Eurasian projects with the participation of Russia.

Power and Stability Policies in the Black Sea-Caspian Region in the Context of Max Weber’s Authority Approach

Weber defined the authority that gave legitimacy to power based on the concept of sovereignty and tried to understand the level of awareness of the individual’s social actions. Together with the phenomenon of power, who played an active role in the strategic platform formed at the same time the hegemony of the authority. The playmakers, who are the active subjects of International Relations, produce proactive-structural policies considering the power balances. In this context, the Black Sea and the Caspian Basin are not only affected by energy, politics and power policies on geopolitical axes but also affect these policies. Turkey is strengthening its central position taking an active role in the Black Sea and the Caspian Basin energy and stability policies for the balance of power in the Eurasian axis. In this study, on the scale of the Black Sea and the Caspian Basin; in terms of Turkey, regional and global actors in energy policies, geopolitics and the balance of power will be examined.