--> Abstract: Oil and Gas Resources in Eurasian Offshore Sector of the Arctic Ocean, by A. E. Kontorovich, L. M. Burshtein, V. Kaminsky, V. A. Kashirtsev, O. M. Prishchepa, A. F. Safronov, V. S. Starosel'tsev, A. Stoupakova, O. L. Suprunenko, and M. I. Epov; #90096 (2009)

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Oil and Gas Resources in Eurasian Offshore Sector of the Arctic Ocean

Alexey E. Kontorovich1, Lev M. Burshtein1, Valery Kaminsky2, Vladimir A. Kashirtsev1, Oleg M. Prishchepa3, Alexander F. Safronov1, Valery S. Starosel'tsev4, Antonina Stoupakova5, Oleg L. Suprunenko2, and Mikhail I. Epov1
1Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.
2VNIIOkeangeologiya, St. Petersburg, Russia.
3VNIGRI, St. Petersburg, Russia.
4Siberian Research Institute of Geology, Geophysics and Mineral Resources (SNIIGGiMS), Novosibirsk, Russia.
5Geological Department of Lomonosov, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.

The level of geological and geophysical exploration of sedimentary basins in the Arctic Ocean shelves being extremely low, this complicates the assessment of their oil and gas resources. Sedimentary basins in western part of Eurasian offshore areas within the bounds of the Barents and the Kara seas have been studied comparatively better. Geophysical exploration done in these areas proves considerable, with 70 wells drilled and 13 oil and gas fields discovered. In the mean time, geological study of the central and eastern parts (the Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi Sea shelves) by up-to-date geological and geophysical exploratory methods is just making first steps.

Probabilistic estimates of hydrocarbon resources of Eurasian sedimentary basins in the Arctic Ocean shelves were carried out on the base of stochastic regressional relationship between initial oil and gas in-place resources and characterization of the sedimentary basins filling, making allowance for their age. It is safe to assert that in terms of oil and gas resources that the Arctic petroleum super-basin can be ranked with the largest petroleum basins in the world. In the latter half of the XXI century hydrocarbon production will play essential role in providing mankind with energy resources, as it is being played by the Persian Gulf and West Siberian petroleum basins these days. These basins might be looked at as substantial energy resources base to provide for the entire mankind within the framework of current international agreements.

Both prospecting and development of oil and gas accumulations in the Arctic Ocean shelves and in its deeper off-shore parts will require pioneering approaches in scientific substantiations, and employment of cutting-edge equipment and technologies.

Recent USGS estimations, to our thinking, considerably mark down the unexplored hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic sector of our planet.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90096©2009 AAPG 3-P Arctic Conference and Exhibition, Moscow, Russia