The Southern Uplands contain 10 or more distinct deep-water stratigraphic sequences consisting of basalt and chert and/or graptolitic shale, below thick greywackes. These sequences are separated by major reverse strike faults. Adjacent sequences differ in sedimentary characteristics and age, indicating that they were originally deposited far apart. Within each fault-bounded tract the individual sequences are disrupted and repeated by further, less important, strike faults and by folding. In the N (away from the site of the Iapetus Ocean) the sequences are older than in the S, but the majority of the beds within each sequence young to the N. This structure is compared with modern accretionary prisms, which develop on active continental margins where the oceanic plate has a thick sedimentary cover.

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Summary In the Moffat Shale lithology of the Southern Uplands, the primary Caledonian structure consists of thrusting at a low angle to the bedding. Thrusting was associated with minor and large scale folding and northwesterly rotation of beds and thrust planes. Wrench faulting is considered as the final major Caledonian event. All these structural phases were caused by similar principal stress orientations. The primary thrusting is best studied in the Moffat Shale inliers where stratigraphical control is excellent. It is possible that these beds overlie a major plane of décollement. Thrusting is less conspicuous in the overlying greywacke sequence where the beds are more competent, and the stratigraphy is less well defined. Otherwise, the Caledonide structural evolution of the greywacke is essentially the same as that in the underlying pelagic sequence. Consequently it is suggested that nearly all the Caledonian structures of the Southern Uplands can be broadly explained by a common but evolving stress system.

In western Kazakhstan there are several world class hydrocarbon fields, including the onshore Karachaganak Field. The geological setting is very challenging for the seismic imaging techniques where deep carbonate platform targets underlie a complex overburden including diapiric and detached salt structures. Furthermore, the extensive oil field infrastructure generates a noisy environment for seismic acquisition and reduced access for vibroseis trucks. KPO conducted an extensive integrated feasibility study for a new survey, complemented by a seismic acquisition test in 2008 which confirmed the need for dense source and receiver coverage, long offsets and wide azimuths to optimize imaging of the pre-salt targets. The survey was acquired in 2009 and survey execution exceeded local and international standards. It was the highest channel survey acquired in Kazakhstan and when fully depth image processed it will yield a high spatially sampled seismic volume, with improved resolution and structural definition. The application of the latest technology and techniques will enable better characterization of this complex carbonate reservoir, adding future value by better placement of wells and reducing overall costs for the ongoing development of the field.

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