Published March 2026, Pg. 4-18
Section: Geology and geophysics
UOT: 556.3(553,7)
DOI: 10.37474/0365-8554/2026-03-4-18
Hydrocarbon reserves in Azerbaijan
I.S. Guliyev Dr. in Geol.-Min. Sc - Azerbaijan National Academy of SciencesThis article presents a comprehensive analysis of the hydrocarbon reserve replenishment potential in Azerbaijan against the backdrop of a steady decline in oil production since 2010. Three main areas are considered: shale formations, abandoned (underdeveloped) fields, and bitumen accumulations, including mud volcanic products. Based on lithological and geochemical criteria, an assessment of the oil and gas potential of the Eocene, Maykop (Oligocene-Miocene), and diatomaceous earth shale formations of the South Caspian Basin is conducted, the total potential of which is estimated at 8.438 million tons of standard fuel.
Data on abandoned fields is systematized, the greatest potential of which is concentrated in the Shirvan and Jeyranchol-Ajinohur regions. The main areas of bitumen distribution (Kobystan, Absheron) and their relationship with mud volcanism are described. The conclusion substantiates the need to apply modern production technologies (EOR, hydraulic fracturing, digital twins) and create favorable economic and regulatory conditions, including the involvement of small and medium businesses, for the successful development of these resources and ensuring the country’s long-term energy sustainability.
References:
1. Data from the State Balance of Hydrocarbon Reserves of Azerbaijan and materials from the Ministry of Energy.
2. Internal materials and reports of SOCAR, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic.
3. Natig Aliyev: Proven oil reserves in the Caspian region are 48 billion barrels.
4. https://ru.oxu.az/economy/23408 Expert: Azerbaijan’s oil and gas reserves will last for 70-80 years.
5. Guliev I.S., Levin L.E., Fedorov D.L. Hydrocarbon Potential of the Caspian Region (System Analysis). – Baku: Nafta-Press, 2003, 127 p.
6. Guliev I.S., Kerimov V.Yu., Etirmishli G.D. i dr. Sovremennye geodinamicheskie processy i ikh vliyanie na vospolnenie uglevodorodnykh resursov v Chernomorsko-Kaspiyskom regione // Geotektonika, 2021, № 3, s. 96-112.
7. Alizade A.A., Guliev I.S., Mamedov P.Z. Productive stratum of Azerbaijan: monograph in 2 vol. – M.: Nedra, 2018, 305 p.
8. Kerimov V.Yu., Rachinskiy M.Z., Mustaev R.N., Osipov A.V. Geoflyuidodinamicheskie kriterii dlya prognozirovaniya neftegazonosnosti regionov al’piyskoy skladchatosti // DAN, 2017, 476(2), s. 209-212.
9. Kerimov V.Yu, Mustaev R.N, Etirmishli G.D, Yusubov N.P. Influence of modern geodynamics on the structure and tectonics of the Black Sea-Caspian Region // Eurasian Mining, 2021, 35(1), pp. 3-8.
10. Abrams M.A., Narimanov A.A. Geochemical evaluation of hydrocarbons and their potential sources in the western South Caspian depression, Republic of Azerbaijan // Marine and Petroleum Geology, 1997, № 14, pp. 451-468.
11. Modica CJ., Scott Lapierre G. Estimation of kerogen porosity in source rocks as a function of thermal transformation: Example from the Mowry Shale in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming // AAPG bulletin, 2012, 1(96), pp. 87-108.
12. Li Q., Jiang Z., You X. [et al.]. A methodology for estimating the organic porosity of the source rocks at the mature stage: example from the marlstone in the Shulu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin // Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 2016, vol .9, 428 p.
13. Dakhnova M.V., Mozhegova S.V., Nazarova E.S., Paizanskaya I.L. Estimation of reserves of “shale oil” using geochemical parameters. Geology of oil and gas, 2015, №4, pp. 55-61.
14. Yakutseni V.P. Fundamentals of forecasting and prospecting for unconventional hydrocarbon raw materials. – L.: VNIGRI, 1989, 161 p.
15. Guliyev I.S, Mustaev R.N, Kerimov V.Yu, Yudin M.N. Degassing of the Earth: scales and consequences. Mining Journal, 2018, № 11, pp. 38-44.
16. Kerimov V.Yu, Guliyev I.S, Javadova AS, Kadirov FA, Mustaev PN, Gurbanov VSh, Huseynova ShM. Characteristics of source rocks and features of petroleum systems of the South Caspian basin // ANAS Transactions, Earth Sciences, 2024a, № 1, pp. 77-92.
17. Kerimov V.Yu., Guliyev I.S., Javadova A.S., Mustaev R.N., Gurbanov V.Sh., Huseynova Sh.M. Shale oil and gas systems of the South Caspian Depression // ANAS Transactions, Earth Sciences, 2024, № 2, pp. 123-140.
18. Kerimov VYu., Guliev IS., Gadjiyev TA. et al. Shale oil and gas systems of the South Caspian basin // ANAS Transactions, Earth Sciences, 2024, № 2.
19. Kerimov V.Y., Mammedov R.A., Gurbanov V.Sh.., Huseynova Sh.M. Lithologic-facies and paleogeographic conditions of formation of natural oil and gas reservoirs in the South Caspian basin // SOCAR Proceedings, 2025, № 2, pp. 33-39.
20. Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS), 2018.
21. Prishchepa O.M., Averyanova O.Y. To discuss the conceptual framework of unconventional sources of oil and gas – shale strata. Oil and Gas Geology. Theory and Practice, 2013, 3(8), p. 11.
22. Ottman J., Bohacs K. Conventional reservoirs hold keys to the ‘Un’s. AAPG Explorer, 2014.
23. Dolson J. Understanding Oil and Gas Shows and Seals in the Search for Hydrocarbons. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland, 2016, 486 p.
24. International Energy Agency (IEA) Special Report on Unconventional Resources, 2023.
25. Kerimov V.Y, Bondarev A.V, Mustaev R.N. Estimation of geological risks in searching and exploration of hydrocarbon deposits // Neftyanoe Khozyaystvo – Oil Industry, 2017, № 8, pp. 36-41.
26. Kerimov V.Yu., Osipov A.V., Mustaev R.N., Minligalieva L.I., Huseynov D.A. Conditions of formation and development of the void space at great depths // Neftyanoe Khozyaystvo – Oil Industry, 2019, № 4, pp. 22-27.
27. Kerimov V.Yu., Shilov G.Ya., Mustaev R.N., Dmitrievsky S.S. Thermobaric conditions for the formation of hydrocarbon accumulations in low-permeable oil reservoirs of the Khadum formation of the Pre-Caucasus // Neftyanoe Khozyaystvo – Oil Industry, 2016, № 2, pp. 8-11.
28. Kerimov V.Y., Rachinsky M.Z. Fluid Dynamics of Oil and Gas Reservoirs. – New Jersey: Wiley, 2015, 617 p. – DOI: 10.1002/9781118999004.
29. Rachinsky M.Z., Kerimov V.Y. (ed Gorfunkel M.V.). Fluid dynamics of oil and gas reservoirs. Scrivener Pubishing, Wiley, New York, USA, 2015, p 622
30. Mirzoev G.G., Aliyev A.S. Modern Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods: Theory and Application in Azerbaijan. – Baku: Elm, 2021.
31. Aliev A. Prirodnyy bitum i goryuchie slantsy kak al’ternativa nefti // Informacionnyy byulleten’ po nefti i gazu. Prezidentskaya biblioteka Azerbajdzhanskoy Respubliki, 2010, 1(5), s. 10.
32. Aliev A.A., Abbasov O.R., Guseynov A.R., Baloglanov E.E., Akhundov R.V. Geologicheskoe i geokhimicheskoe izuchenie prirodnykh bitumov, svyazannykh s gryazevymi vulkanami (v predelakh Absheronskogo poluostrova i Gobus- tanskogo regiona) // Trudy molodykh uchenykh. Baku, 2012, № 5, s. 66-78.
33. Lapidus A.L., Kerimov V.Y., Mustaev R.N., Salikhova I.M., Zhagfarov F.G. Natural bitumens: Physicochemical properties and production technologies // Solid Fuel Chemistry, 2018, 52(6), pp. 344-355.
34. Mamakhatov T.M. Bituminous Sands in Siberia and Their Importance for the Fuel and Energy Complex of Countries Around the World. Inter Expo Geo-Siberia, 2014, 1(3).
35. Abbasov O.R., Aliyev A.A., Agaev A.M., et al. Mineralogy, geochemistry and features of paleoinvention of oil shales of Paleogene-Miocene deposits of Azerbaijan // SOCAR Proceedings, 2022, № 1, pp. 24-36.
36. Guliyev I.S., Kerimov V.Yu., Mustaev R.N., Bondarev, A.V. The Estimation of the generation potential of the low permeable shale strata of the Maikop Caucasian series // SOCAR Proceedings, 2018, № 1, pp. 4-20.
37. Status and prospects for the development of unconventional fuel and energy deposits in Azerbaijan. Monthly scientific journal of the Eurasian Union of Scientists.
38. Serikova U.S., Aliev E.M., Gur’yanov S.A. Osnovnye napravleniya v razrabotke ekologicheski chistykh tekhnologijy dlya neftegazovoy otrasli // Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Geologiya i razvedka, 2024, 66(4), s. 66-79.
39. Kerimov V., Rachinsky M., Mustaev R., Serikova U. Geothermal conditions of hydrocarbon formation in the South Caspian basin // Iranian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2018, 1(10), pp. 78-89.
40. Kerimov V.Yu., Mustaev R.N., Dmitrievsky S.S., Yandarbiev N.Sh., Kozlova E.V. The shale hydrocarbons prospects in the low permeability khadum formation of the Pre-Caucasus. Neftyanoe Khozyaystvo – Oil Industry, 2015, № 10, pp. 50-55.
