The article presents the results of the geological structure analysis and oil and gas potential of the Laptev Sea shelf. The state of exploration of the water area and the continental shelf framing by complex geological and geophysical methods and well drilling is considered. It is shown that the seismic exploration degree of the shelf is low, and deep drilling was carried out mainly on land, where small Permian oil deposits were discovered. Only one well (Tsentralno-Olginskaya-1) was drilled in Khatanga Bay (starting from Bolshoy Begichev Island) which discovered a large oil field also in Permian deposits. The issues related to tectonics, stratification of sedimentary complexes and the age of the folded basement of the Laptev Sea shelf remain controversial due to the lack of information. This owes to the fact that the regional stage of geological exploration has not been completed. Based on the analysis of geological materials, the authors concluded that the Khatanga, Pritaimyr and Omoloy structural-formation zones have the highest oil and gas potential in which Cenozoic delta deposits join with Upper Paleozoic-Mesozoic blocks Lithological hydrocarbon traps may be associated with paleodelts. There is a possibility of the hydrocarbon discovery in Paleozoic deposits stretching into the shelf as a part of an intermediate structural level. For the purpose of regional geological exploration it was proposed to perform 2D seismic with a high density of seismic profiles network and drill a parametric well into Mesozoic deposits in the Khatanga transition zone. Prospecting and evaluation drilling is recommended at the Begichevskaya structure with maximum exposing of terrigenous Permian deposits. The technological capabilities and directional drilling experience of the largest oil and gas companies make such project possible and solve the set of geological problems including hydrocarbon reserves appraisal in the Laptev Sea at a qualitatively new level.
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