Provenance and petroleum potential of oil-bearing rocks in the Beridash field (Southern Gobustan, Azerbaijan): A mineralogical and geochemical assessment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26565/2410-7360-2026-64-03Keywords:
Azerbaijan, Productive Series, oil-bearing rocks, mineralogy, geochemistry, provenance, oil enrichment, moisture, petroleum potentialAbstract
This research presents a complex formational analysis of the extensively exposed Lower Pliocene Productive Series (PS) unconventional reservoir rocks in the Beridash field (Southern Gobustan, Azerbaijan). Utilizing lithological, mineralogical, and geochemical proxies, the study assesses their sedimentary environment, provenance, and petroleum potential, emphasizing the mineralogical control on hydrocarbon accumulation.
Problem statement: Despite Azerbaijan’s extensive conventional hydrocarbon extraction, unconventional oil-bearing surface exposures remain geologically underexplored. A comprehensive formational, mineralogical, and geochemical characterization is required to determine the primary factors controlling hydrocarbon enrichment within these specific stratigraphic units.
Purpose: This research aims to delineate the provenance and hydrocarbon potential of the Beridash field through an integrated mineralogical and geochemical assessment, with a specific focus on the mechanisms controlling oil enrichment.
Methods: The analytical methodology integrated detailed surface mapping, mineralogical characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), and geochemical assessment of major oxides using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and ICP-MS. Oil content was calculated gravimetrically following moisture correction.
Results: Detailed surface mapping identified eight distinct, predominantly calcareous oil-bearing sand and sandstone units localized within the 1245-1480 m stratigraphic interval from the top of the Lower PS. Mineralogically, the rocks represent a mixed carbonate-terrigenous sequence dominated by calcite (avg. 24.97%) and quartz (avg. 23.57%), alongside clay minerals. Geochemical proxies indicate deposition in a shallow marine-lagoonal environment along an active continental margin from mixed felsic and mafic sources. The average oil content is 7.64%, increasing from northwest to southeast. A weak correlation (r = 0.02) between moisture (avg. 1.14%) and oil saturation demonstrates that mineralogy, specifically the ratio of fluid-blocking clays to brittle minerals, acts as the primary control on hydrocarbon accumulation.
Conclusions: Based on extensive surface mapping, the eight delineated calcareous sand and sandstone units represent a highly promising non-conventional hydrocarbon resource. Their specific provenance has produced a mineralogical framework highly conducive to hosting hydrocarbons, functioning largely independent of moisture influence. These findings provide a robust formational evaluation model for regional non-conventional resources.
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