We studied the distribution of organic carbon in rocks of the Bazhenov horizon, a unique object of predominantly biogenic sedimentation in the West Siberian sedimentary basin. The contents of organic carbon in the rocks were determined using the data from 4094 core analyses and core-log relationships derived from 48,500 radioactive- and electrical-log measurements. For the Bazhenov and Tutleima Formations, both approaches gave the same results. The average content of organic carbon in the rocks is 7.7%. These data were used to compile a detailed map of the distribution of organic carbon contents in sedimentary rocks of the basin. It was shown that the average organic carbon content in the rocks increases from 2–4% on the periphery of the basin to 10–12% in its central, deepest part. The distribution of Corg values in the basin is highly asymmetric. The highest Corg values are observed in the southwestern part of the basin interior, where beds with > 10% Corg range in thickness from 5 to 12–15 m. In sections, the highest Corg values are observed in their middle and upper parts, composed predominantly of silicites and mixtites enriched in biogenic silica.
The type sections of the Bazhenov Horizon and formations recognized within this horizon have been identified based on a comprehensive analysis of paleontological, lithological, geophysical (well-log and CDP seismic data), and geochemical data on the West Siberian Basin. The Bazhenov Horizon was traced throughout the entire West Siberian sedimentary basin. The criteria for the recognition of the top and base of this horizon within the stratigraphic equivalents of the Bazhenov Formation were suggested. The proposed facies-stratigraphic zonation of the Bazhenov Horizon reflects the spatial location of all formations identified within this horizon. As seen on the newly proposed thickness map, the Bazhenov Horizon reaches a thickness of 15–25 m within the Bazhenov and Tutleim Formations, 30–35 m within the Mulym’ya Formation, 30–45 m within the Danilov Formation, 40–65 m within the Mar’yanovka Formation, up to 100 m within the Golchikha Formation, > 350 m within the Yanovstan Formation, up to 35 m within the Bagan Formation, and 35–40 m within the Maksimkin Yar Formation. A marginal filter (according to A.P. Lisitzin) has been identified along the East Siberian land.
—The gradual transition of the Bazhenov Formation top into the overlying deposits makes it difficult to establish its upper boundary. The problem is aggravated by the lack of core material when the formation is recognized according to the results of geophysical well studies. A comprehensive analysis of geochemical and lithological data and the results of geophysical well surveys enabled us not only to determine the specific structure of the transitional zone from the Bazhenov Formation top to the rocks of the sub-Achimov member, but also to propose the criteria for delineating the upper boundary in the central regions of the West Siberian sedimentary basin within the Khentei hemianteclise, the South Nadym megamonoclise and the Mansi syneclise. Four members are distinguished in the transitional zone of the studied well sections (from bottom to top), which differ in lithological, geochemical and geophysical characteristics: (I) the “coccolithic” upper part of the Bazhenov Formation; (II) transitional member from the upper part of the Bazhenov Formation to the bottom of the sub-Achimov member; (III) transitional member from the bottom of the sub-Achimov member to its lower part; and (IV) the lower part of the sub-Achimov member. Member II is virtually not distinguished within the Khentei hemianteclise and the South Nadym megamonoclise. Member III contains the boundary between zones with different redox conditions. In case member II is distinguished, the upper boundary of the Bazhenov Formation corresponds to its top. To recognize the Bazhenov Formation top, it is necessary to use the integrated analysis results of the lithological and geochemical studies of the well core, and logging data (gamma-ray logging, neutron gamma-ray logging and its variations, lateral logging, and induction logging) when focusing attention mainly on radioactivity.
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