ASSESSMENT OF THE HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF THE CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN MARGIN OF THE YEVLAKH–AGHJABADI TROUGH (BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA IN THE MIDDLE KURA DEPRESSION)

Abstract

The Middle Kura Depression, formed within the territory of Azerbaijan during the Mesozoic– Cenozoic periods, is one of the principal oil and gas–bearing regions, characterized by a thick sedi- mentary cover, a complex tectonic structure, and the superposition of multilevel hydrocarbon sys- tems. Within this depression, the Yevlakh–Agjabadi Depression is regarded as one of the central structural elements, distinguished by maximum sedimentary thicknesses, sharply expressed structu- ral–tectonic differentiation, and formation under the interaction of various geodynamic regimes. The central part and the northeastern flank of the Yevlakh–Agjabadi Depression differ signifi- cantly in terms of geological structure, sedimentation conditions, and tectonic evolution. In these zones, differential subsidence of the Mesozoic basement, the relief of the Upper Cretaceous and Pa- leogene surfaces, the distribution of carbonate, terrigenous, and volcanogenic rocks, as well as the characteristics of fault system development, have created distinct structural–lithological environ- ments for hydrocarbon generation and accumulation.
The object of the study comprises the structural maps of the Yevlakh–Agjabadi Depression. Based on the integration of isopach and lithofacies schemes, regional seismic–geological profiles, well sections, and gravimetric data, fundamental differences between the central part and the nort- heastern flank have been identified with respect to sediment thickness distribution, structural featu- res of the Upper Cretaceous surface, lateral continuity of Paleogene–Neogene reservoirs, and the re- gional sealing function of the Maykop series. In this context, the assessment of the hydrocarbon potential of the central part and the northe- astern flank of the Yevlakh–Agjabadi Depression should not be limited to the local characteristics of individual structural elements but should be carried out within the framework of the tectonic evo- lution of the sedimentary cover as a whole, its lithofacies zonation, and the interaction of regional geodynamic conditions.