Arctic regions of Western Siberia. A comparative analysis of the geological structure and gas and oil presence. Prospects for new discoveries

Abstract

Introduction. An analysis of the geological structure and gas and oil presence of the Arctic region in Western Siberia is carried out.Aim. To assess the potential and undiscovered gas resources, as well as to forecast prospects and potential of explored reserves for 2023–2040.Materials and methods. The geological structure and gas and oil presence specific to Arctic regions and regions of Western Siberian megabasin and megaprovince, including Yamal, Gydan, Southern-Kara with bays (shelf) and western part of the Yenisei-Khatanga, were analysed. In these locations, hydrocarbon reserves (HC) of non-associated gas, crude and condensate, HC accumulations in the volume of a sedimentary Jurassic-Cretaceous cover (Cenozoic upper regional seal), oil-and-gas and geostatistics, as well as the scale of layers and deposits, were assessed.Results. The resources of Yamal-Kara and Gydan-Yenisei land and shelf regions were assessed. A forecast was made concerning the potential and undiscovered gas resources, as well as possible increments of explored reserves for 2023–2040. The comparative resource geostatistics of the land and shelf appears to be somewhat premature. However, according to most researchers, land undiscovered giants (>0.3 trillion m3) can be already excluded, while shelf supergiant gas fields are possible (unique ones are excluded). Nevertheless, their number can only be evaluated by prospecting and exploration in the most favourable structural and tectonic conditions.Conclusion. The Yamal-Kara region can become the largest strategic gas production centre of both Western Siberia and Russia as a whole, while Gydan-Yenisei region can be a tactical centre.