--> Abstract: Geology and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Soviet Union, by R. Leonard; #91004 (1991)

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Geology and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Soviet Union

LEONARD, R., Amoco Production Co., Houston, TX

The Soviet Union is the world's largest producer of oil and natural gas. Soviet oil production averaged 12.1 million bbl per day in 1989 with gas production of 79 bcf per day. Estimates of Soviet proved reserves fall within the range of 50 to 80 billion bbl, which gives the Soviet Union the world's greatest concentration of proved conventional crude oil reserves outside the Persian Gulf. In addition, the Soviet Union contains estimated proved reserves of 1500 tcf of natural gas, constituting over 38% of the worldwide total.

The basins of the Soviet Union can be generally separated into five categories based upon geography, geology, and exploration maturity. The southwestern flank of the Soviet Union, from the Carpathians to Central Asia, contains a series of late Mesozoic to Tertiary basins associated with the closing of the Tethys Ocean and the Tertiary Alpine Orogeny. Because these basins contain shallow production and are near population centers and in moderate climates, they were the first explored and provided virtually all Soviet production prior to the Second World War.

A series of Paleozoic basins, mainly sourced by Devonian shales, are located to the west of the Ural Mountains from the Ukraine to the Arctic. Exploration success in these basins from 1946 to 1960 was mainly responsible for the increase in Soviet production from 700,000 BOPD to 5,000,000 BOPD.

The third major province is the West Siberian basin of Mesozoic age. It has a similar geologic history and tectonic style to the northern North Sea except it is approximately six times the aerial extent and contains 12 rift grabens as compared to three in the northern North Sea. Exploration in this basin has taken place within the past 30 years. Approximately 70% of Soviet oil and gas production comes from the West Siberian basin.

The fourth area is the Barents and Kara Sea, Arctic offshore extensions of the Timan-Pechora and West Siberian basins. Exploration began in the 1980s and initial efforts have resulted in giant discoveries, although predominantly gas. The final group is located in East Siberia and the Arctic Oceans. While oil has been found in East Siberia, results have not yet justified the high cost of infrastructure and transportation needed for production.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91004 © 1991 AAPG Annual Convention Dallas, Texas, April 7-10, 1991 (2009)