Organic Rich Strata: Characterization, Origin, and Implications to Petroleum Exploration in Kazakhstan

Faculty-development competitive research grants program for 2020-2022 (batch 2)

This project comprises fundamental and applied research which complement one another to characterize and evaluate a range of Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic organic rich strata from several sedimentary basins in Kazakhstan. The presence of these strata have been documented in geological reports, studies, and maps. However, their origin, extent, characteristics, depositional environments, and even economic significance is very poorly understood. Moreover, although Kazakhstan is one of the world’s major oil producers, providing over 1.5 million barrels per day of production, very little is known about the organic rich strata’s own economic potential (i.e. as an unconventional petroleum resource) and about their role in charging petroleum fields across the Kazakhstan.
Obtained data and developed concepts will serve as a strong foundation for applied research focused on petroleum source rock evaluation and unconventional petroleum resources. It is expected to inspire colleagues from industry and academia to further advance research, increase the awareness of Kazakhstan's natural resources potential, and attract interests in commercial development. Results and discoveries from both fundamental and applied research topics are expected to be published in leading scientific journals such as Geology, Nature and Science, and inspire more studies on related topics.