Hydrocarbon Potential of Oligocene-Miocene Sediments of the SE Greater Caucasus and Talysh – A Comparative Analysis

The presentation is devoted to comparative analysis of qualitative and quantitative characteristics and maturity of organic matter (OM) in Oligocene and Miocene rocks cropping out at SE termination of the Greater Caucasus and Talysh mountains, which bound the South Caspian Basin (SCB) on NW and SW, respectively. It was found that from north to south total organic carbon (TOC) and S1+S2 hydrocarbon yield of pyrolysis decrease and alteration from oil generative to predominantly gas generative properties takes place in OM. In the same direction increases OM maturity. The obtained results are consistent with the results of exploration carried out on the western flank of the SCB. An inference is made on the low prospects of oil presence in adjacent south part of Baku Archipelago.