Paleozoic hydrocarbon system formation in the Barents-Kara region

The article examines the importance of paleogeographic reconstructions for elements predicting of hydrocarbon system in poorly studied areas of the Barents-Kara region. Source rocks, reservoirs, and seals are formed in specific sedimentary environments and their properties directly depend on the genetic type of the host rocks. The creation of conceptual paleogeographic models becomes a key tool for predicting the distribution of the hydrocarbon system elements across the poor studied area. The sedimentary paleoenvironments determination is based on the analysis of outcrop, well core data and the results of seismic interpretation. Large tectonic elements with varying evolution and total sedimentary cover thickness were used as a basis for paleoreconstructions. The models were created taking into account the possible proximity of paleogeographic zones and the principle of sequential changes in environments across the surface and time. This paper presents paleogeographic models for key stages in the development of the Barents-Kara region during the Paleozoic, demonstrating the potential of petroleum source rocks predicting their properties and maturity in various zones. Paleogeographic reconstructions enabled to predict the distribution of thicknesses of lower, middle and late Paleozoic sedimentary units and to identify zones of development of potential oil and gas source rocks and natural reservoirs in the section of the sedimentary cover.

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