Neotectonics and morphostructures significance for oil and gas fields location

Abstract

The tectonic and morphostructural control of oil and gas fields location is essential but not the same at the whole territory of the USSR. Within areas of subsidence the hydrocarbons tend to move into regions of local neotectonic uplifts, the gas (as more mobile fluid) is distributed in closer connection with neotectonic structures. Within areas of uplift the oil and gas fields were destroyed because of seal failure of enclosing layers. Negative was also the influence of inverse morphostructures formation (elevations and plateaus) which replaced ancient tectonic depressions and troughs during the Neogene-Quaternary. The hydrocarbons accumulation in geological traps was favored by direct morphostructures formation in the course of inherited earthcrust movements within regions characterized by neotectonic uplifts of small amplitude (less than 900-1000 meters).