f Silurian Organic-Rich Source Rocks Of Russia

The Silurian interval in the history of the Earth was characterized by widespread deposition of source rocks. They generate 9% of the world’s petroleum reserves (Klemme and Ulmishek 1991) and are known from many parts of the world in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Australia. At present, 26 basins are characterized by the presence of Silurian organic-rich sediments, represented mainly by graptolite black shale and bituminous cephalopod (“Orthoceras”) limestone. Of particular interest and detailed study so far is the early Silurian “hot” shale of the Middle East and North Africa (Lüning et al. 2000). However there is an apparent lack of data and uncertainties from the other areas of potential Silurian source rock distribution (e.g. Baltic states, and the territory of Russia).