Maikop Group - Shale Hydrocarbon Complex in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is more associated with oil rather than with gas. However, emerged in the last few years a new trend - the shale gas could be a promising and for the territory of Azerbaijan, which will bring the Azerbaijan Republic to a higher level in the gas production. Unlike conventional gas - shale gas is formed in sedimentary rock composed of clay, low porous deposits, which act both as a source of organic matter, and create favorable conditions for its preservation.Maikop Group is related to one of such complexes which are considered to be an oil source-rock for overlying complexes – Productive Series of Azerbaijan. Rocks of Maikop age can be considered as a prospective for accumulation and formation of shale hydrocarbons fields. Deposits of Chattian regional stage (Upper Oligocene) represent the most prospective stratigraphic part of Maikop Group for formation of deposits of shale hydrocarbons. Middle Kura depression and Northern part of Shamakha-Gobustan of oil-gas-bearing area is the most prospective area for formation of deposits of shale hydrocarbons.