Abstract: Periorogenic Overthrust Belts of Russia and Their Probable Hydrocarbon Potential

KHAIN, VICTOR E

Five periogenic overthrust belts could be recognized on the territory of Russia. One of them stretches along the western slope of the Urals for a distance of more than 2500 km. Miogeoclinal, mainly carbonate rocks of Mid-Paleozoic age are thrust here on the Uralian foredeep, filled with Upper Paleozoic molasse. Another belt, not so extensive, is represented by the overthrust of Middle and Upper Paleozoic rocks of the Donets Caspian fold system on the southwestern border of the North Pericaspian Basin. Further to the south, the Greater Caucasus orogen on its both flanks is thrust on the Oligocene-Neogene molasses of its foredeeps.

Two other overthrust belts are located in Siberia. One of them, on the southern and southeastern periphery of the Siberian craton, where the Precambrian rocks are thrust on the uppermost Proterozoic and Lower Paleozoic deposits of the craton margin. And the second belongs to the northeastern periphery of the same craton and is represented by overthrusts of the Verkhoyansk Mesozoides on their foredeep filled with Upper Paleozoic-Mesozoic deposits.

All the five belts have good prospects for discovering oil and/or gas accumulations and, in some of them, such accumulations are already known. Further development of the belts could be achieved with the help of detailed seismic studies.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria