Physicochemical properties of shale strata in the Maikop series of Ciscaucasia

Abstract

The article describes the results of studying the physicochemical properties and generation potential of the shale strata of the Maikop series of Ciscaucasia. Based on the results of works performed in the Khadum and Batalpashinsk deposits of eastern and central Ciscaucasia, kerogen of three types (I, II, and III) was determined; kerogen of the type II prevailed. According to a number of geochemical parameters (organic carbon content (C_org), hydrogen index (HI), and realized (S₁) and residual (S₂) oil- and gas-bearing potentials), the Khadum and Batalpashinsk deposits can be related to the category of rich and very rich (excellent) mother beds of oil. The maturity of the test deposits within the region was estimated; this estimation made it possible to calculate the initial values of TOC and HI. The total initial generation hydrocarbon potential of the Khadum and Batalpashinsk deposits within the limits of the region in question was 133.4 billion tons, including 92.7 billion tons in the Khadum suite and 40.7 billion tons in the Batalpashinsk suite. Such a quantitative evaluation was carried out for the first time.