Geology and hydrocarbon potential of the Umkilir basin
https://doi.org/10.32454/0016-7762-2025-67-3-14-23
EDN: AZONIL
Abstract
Background. According to retrospective data, the southern continuation of the North Chukchi Trough was considered low-prospective in terms of oil and gas deposits. Indeed, due to the poor and uneven geophysical exploration, the thickness of the sedimentary cover was estimated at 2—2.5 km. However, in 2018—2019, additional geophysical and geochemical surveys were carried out. New data has allowed an improved understanding of the structure of the southern continuation of the North Chukchi Trough and its oil and gas potential.
Aim. Study of the geological structure of the Umkilir basin as a continuation of the North Chukchi Trough to establish its oil and gas potential.
Materials and methods. Interpretation of 2D seismic surveys, potential methods, analysis of dynamic attributes, correlation of reflectors and faults, paleotectonic analysis, bottom samples, surface geochemical survey.
Results. The structure of the southern continuation of the North Chukchi trough, which is identified as an independent sedimentary basin Umkilir, is clarified. The main tectonic events and their age are established, the stratification of reflectors is carried out. Signs for the oil and gas potential of the basin are revealed based on seismic exploration and geochemistry data.
Conclusion. The Umkilir Basin was presumably formed in the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous after the end of the Cimmerian folding. It is composed of Mesozoic and Cenozoic SSC deposits separated by the regional Middle Brookian Unconformity. The sedimentary cover is complicated by transtensional and transpressional faults of submeridional vergence, to which amplitude anomalies in the Cenozoic SSC are confined. The oil and gas potential of the basin is also indicated by the presence of hydrotroilite in the bottom sediment, gas emanations in the water column, as well as by their chemical and isotopic composition.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: the study had no sponsorship.
About the Author
D. L. Gendel
LLC “NOVATEK Scientific and Technical Center”
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Danil L. Gendel — Head of the Department for Searching for Prospective Objects
7, Pozharnykh i spasateley str., Tyumen, 625031
Competing Interests:
the author declares that there is no conflict of interest
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For citations:
Gendel D.L. Geology and hydrocarbon potential of the Umkilir basin. Proceedings of higher educational establishments. Geology and Exploration. 2025;67(3):14-23. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32454/0016-7762-2025-67-3-14-23. EDN: AZONIL
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