The role of deep faults in the structure formation of the TCFD, the distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations, and thermomineral sources

Abstract

The work purpose was to assess the prospects of oil and gas potential of the western part of the Tersko-Caspian trough (TCT) concerning the development of deep-sunk areas in the light of modern ideas about the deep-seated formation of hydrocarbons. The main tasks are to analyze the ideas about the formation mechanism of the tectonic structure and formation of hydrocarbon accumulations; to study the relationships between the formation processes, migration, and the areal distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations; to determine the main prerequisites for the deep genesis of oil and gas. The scientific novelty lies in a comprehensive approach to the study of the formation processes of hydrocarbons, migration, the formation of traps, and patterns of placement of hydrocarbon accumulations. The article describes the mechanisms of formation of the Tersk and Sunzha composite anticline as the main zones of oil and gas accumulation. It is suggested that the formation of high-amplitude anticline folds in the upper cretaceous deposits resulted from the vertical migration of high-pressure fluids along deep faults with the breakthrough of their upper horizons of the sedimentary cover into the late-orogenic folding stages. The main prerequisites for the deep genesis of oil and gas are listed as pronounced uneven distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations, AHFP, hydrochemical anomalies, etc.