Structure and Gas Resources of the Oil-Gas Regions of Russia

N. Nemchenko, A. Rovenskaya

In Russia the gas industry is the branch of the fuel-power complex best provided for in terms of resources. Estimated gas resources are such that the gas industry is the only branch of the fuel-power complex capable of providing the required production increases as well as offsetting the energy production deficiencies of the other fuel-power branches through the year 2005 and beyond.

Initial total resources of free gas in Russia as of 1/1/88 are estimated at 217.7 trillion cubic meters (Tcm), including onshore deposits at 159.3 Tcm, and shelf deposits at 52.5 Tcm. Of this number, 25% are reserves that are considered discovered. The least discovered reserves are shelf deposits in the East Siberian and Far East Seas. Despite a large portion of discovered reserves of natural gas in West Siberia (46.3%), the total prospective and hypothetical resources are quite high in this area. Overall, it can be assumed that in the next 10-15 years the gas production industry will continue its development owing to the resource base in West Siberia, the shelf seas, and East Siberia. Within the European region of Russia, 30% of the reserves have been discovered. Them is a possibilit that gas fields in the north as well as in the contiguous regions of the Caspian Depression will be discovered in the near term. Reserves in the European region of Russia are the most depleted, the rest of the territory not being more than 10-15% produced. The shelf sea is the least produced.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995