Biostratigraphic, Geochemical, and Petrographic Analyses of Mesozoic and Cenozoic Strata of Azerbaijan

• The executive companies: GIA / UNOCAL
• The year of publication: March 1999
• Code: -
• Volumes: total 2
  volumes with appendixes in same amount: 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The primary purpose of this joint GIA and UNOCAL study was to better understand the geology and geochemistry of the Paleogene and Miocene age strata of the South Caspian Basin. An attempt was made to investigate source rock potential of this section, improve age dating, review biostratigraphic zonation, and interpret the paleo-depositional environments of these strata. A joint field party visited twelve different outcrop localities on the Absheron Peninsula and west and northwest of the peninsula. Outcrop samples for both geochemical (132 samples) and biostratigraphic (110 samples) analyses were collected from the Paleogene and Miocene, as well as limited Cretaceous samples. An effort was made to take both biostratigraphic and geochemnical samples from all outcrops, not just the intervals that appeared to have source rocks potential based on visual appearance. In addition, core samples (49 samples from 15 different wells), and oil samples (19 samples from 11 different fields) wer provided by the GIA.

Biostratigraphic age dating, and paleoenvironmental interpretations in this study involve both microfossils and macrofossils. Microfossils include foraminifera, ostracods, calcareous nannoplankton, and palynomorphs (dinocysts, pollen, and spores). Macrofossils that are important are mollusks, fish remains, and arthropods. Applying biostratigraphy in the Cenozoic of the South Caspian Basin is often difficult. As many as 90-95% of the muicrofossils in some intervals are reworked (recycled). However, patterns of reworking can be useful and can reveal much about regional structure and tectonics. Study outcrop samples range in age from Barremian to Upper Miocene. The Eocene to Miocene section was sampled in some detail. Paleoenvironments of the study section range from marginal marine and shallow water, restericted marine to deep marine, including outer shelf, slope, and / or abyssal depths.

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) values of the outcrop samples range from 0.01% to 9.29% . RockEval analyses, isotopic data, and biomarker data were acquired from samples that had significant TOC values. The Maykop and Diatom Suites have the highest source rock potential within the Miocene and Paleogene interval. Pristane / phytane ratios of samples from the Diatom Suite and Maykop Suite indicate that the depositional environment of the source rocks range from possible arid to wet climatic conditions. Sterane and triterpane biomarkers support the interpretation of two different depositional environments for the source rocks. In the sterane distributions of some samples, the higher values of C₂₇ and C₂₉ over C₂₈ suggest that the sapropelic matter was deposited in mesosaline settings. In other samples the higher C₂₈ values compared to the C₂₇ and C₂₉ values suggest clastic, more normal marine deposition. Evaluation of oil samples suggest two families of oils distinguished by isotopic composition. Detailed geochemical sampling of the Maykop and Diatom Suites would undoubtedly show subtle vertical variations in isotopic ratios and biomarker attributes.

Vitrinite reflectance values for 15 outcrop samples range from immature to mature. Thermal matiruty values estimated for 9 samples using sterane biomarkers suggest an immature range for those samples. Maturation of outcrop samples based on pollen and spores coloration reflects immature, late immature, and mature stages of thermal alteration.

CONTENTS

VOLUME I

 

• ABSTRACTS
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• REPORT COVER DESCRIPTION
• AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

   

• INTRODUCTION

Study Objectives
Report Organization
Participating Geoscientists
Stratigraphic Units

 

• TYPES OF ANALYSES

Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Petrographic Analyses

 

• OUTCROP LOCALITIES

Sample Sets
Brief Overview

SUMGAIT STATION
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs

SIANSHORE LAKE
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs

BERBERSHORE LAKE
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Outcrop Photographs

GEZDEK
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Outcrop Photographs

MAYKOP LAKE
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Petrographic Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs

BEDERY
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs

NORTH PEREKESHKYL
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Petrographic Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs

SOUTH PEREKESHKYL
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs

PEREKESHKYL
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Petrographic Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs

YUNUSDAG
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Petrographic Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs

ALTIAGACH
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Petrographic Analyses
Outcrop Measured Section
Outcrop Photographs
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs

XIZY
Section and Samples
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Outcrop Photographs

 

• WELLS (CORE SAMPLES)

Sample Sets
Geochemistry Data for Core Samples

ONSHORE WELLS

CHODAGAR-XORAT#1
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

DUVANNY #73 and #589
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

GERADIL #23 and #55
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

KALAMADYN
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses
Petrographic Analyses
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs

KYURSANGYA #100
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

NEFTECHALA #57 and #731
Core Interval and Samples
Petrographic Analyses
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs (#57)
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs (#731)

OFFSHORE WELLS

ABSHERON BANK #45
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

NORTH ABSHERON #1 and #5
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

BAKHAR #38, #44 and #51
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Petrographic Analyses
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs (#38)
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs (#44)
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs (#51)

BULLA DENIZ #45 and #57
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

GUNESHLI #1
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

KHAZRI #4
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

LOKBATAN DENIZ #2
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Sample Thin-section Photomicrographs

NEFT DASHLARI #1
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

SANGACHALY DENIZ #550, #551 and #557
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

YUZHNAYA #2-3
Core Interval and Samples
Well Logs and Previous Information
Biostratigraphic Analyses
Organic Geochemical Analyses

 

• WELLS (OIL SAMPLES)

Geochemical Evaluation of Oil Samples (Summary Text)

LIST OF TEXT-FIGURES AND CHARTS

 

• REPORT APPENDICES

Appendix I: Biostratigraphy report of Azerbaijan outcrop samples (APTI Geosciences Lab, R.Koshkarly and D.Mamedova, 1997)

Appendix II: Biostratigraphy report of selected Azerbaijan outcrop and offshore well samples (D.Mamedova, 1996)

Appendix III: Biostratigraphy report of selected offshore well samples (R.Koshkarly, 1996)

VOLUME II

 

• REPORT APPENDICES (Continued)

Appendix IV: Biostratigraphy report of Azerbaijan outcrop samples (Robertson Research, 1996)

Appendix V: Biostratigraphy report of Azerbaijan core samples (Robertson Research, 1996)

Appendix VI: Geochemical evaluation of outcrop and conventional core samples from the Absheron Peninsula and vicinity (Unocal, G.Rinaldi)

Appendix VII: Geochemical evaluation of onshore and offshore Azerbaijan oils (Unocal, G.Rinaldi, 1996)

Appendix VIII: Petrographic analyses of selected conventional core and outcrop samples (Reservoirs, Inc., 1996)

Appendix XI: Selected maturity parameters showing Robertson Spore Color Index in Relation to other thermal alteration indices, and Vitrinite Reflectance, RpckEval, and related information