Published March 2012
About the history of South Caspian basin and its hydrocarbon potential
B.S. AslanovThe article is devoted to the evolution (history) and hydrocarbon potential of South Caspian basin. The authors believe that there is still no clear answer to the question How much oil is there in the depths of the Caspian Sea?. The hydrocarbon potential of the Caspian Sea is connected with a wide stratigraphic range. It is obvious from uncertainty and variosity of whole Caspian Sea hydrocarbon reserves estimations. The authors suppose that South Caspian basin hydrocarbon potential is tightly connected with Turan plate dynamism and Pre-Caucasian-Turkmenian deep fault. Thus, as a result of Turan plate geodynamic instability which is connected with seismo-tectonic properties of geostructural elements, such as Main Zagros thrust, Deshte-Louht block and Epihercynian platform, source rocks of oil and gas migrate to the Pre-Caucasian-Turkmenian deep fault bottom upwards and accumulate there in sedimentary cover in favorable conditions.
