Published September 2026, Pg. 4-11
Section: Geology and geophysics
UOT: 550.834.084
DOI: 10.37474/0365-8554/2026-09-4-11
Prospects for seismic exploration using seabed equipment in the Сaspian sea
H.I. Shakarov Cand. in Geol.-Min.Sc. - “Oil-Gas Scientific Research Project” Institute, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry UniversityThe article discusses the advantages of seismic exploration carried out using seabed equipment in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The first marine seismic surveys in the former Soviet Union were conducted in 1941 in the Caspian Sea, in the Bibiheybat bay area of the Absheron Peninsula. In the initial stages, elastic waves were recorded using conventional land seismographs that had been hermetically sealed in advance. The seismographs were lowered from a boat to the seabed, while the seismic station was located on a vessel. Since 1957, pneumatic sources have gradually replaced explosive materials as wave sources in marine environments. At the same time, the reception of seismic waves was improved: in addition to seabed equipment, floating streamers began to be widely used. Based on studies conducted with floating streamers, hundreds of structural uplifts were identified in the Caspian Sea (both in Azerbaijan and neighboring countries) and prepared for drilling. Subsequent drilling operations led to the discovery of large oil and gas fields in these structures, including Azeri, Chirag, Gunashli, Shah- Deniz, Umid and Bulla-Deniz. At the same time, the study of shallow-water zones has always remained a focus of geophysicists and geologists. In areas where the water depth is less than 5-8 meters, vessel movement becomes difficult, and floating streamers may sink to the seabed, increasing the risk of entanglement. Furthermore, the development of discovered structures, including the construction of platforms and trestles, has created additional challenges for conducting seismic surveys with floating streamers in deeper offshore areas. Taking these factors into account, in recent year’s seismic exploration using seabed equipment has significantly expanded in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea with the application of new techniques and technologies. In particular, 2D/3D seismic surveys using seabed equipment have been carried out in areas such as Bulla-Deniz, Gurgan-Deniz, 8 March, Alat-Deniz, Goshadash, Neft Dashlari, Chilov Island and others within the Baku and Absheron archipelagos. As a result, the geological structure of these areas has been clarified, the distribution of hydrocarbons has been predicted, and in some cases their onshore continuation has been investigated. The article also describes the technology of 3D seismic surveys conducted with seabed equipment in the south-western part of the Absheron archipelago and presents selected examples of data processing and interpretation results.
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