Unconventional fuel and energy resources of Azerbaijan

Abstract

This article focuses on unconventional (alternate) resources of native bitumen connected mainly with mud volcanic structures. More than 50 petroleum – bitumen occurrences have been revealed which are confined to various geological formations (Cretaceous – Pliocene) and are located within oil and gas bearing regions of Eastern Azerbaijan. Their geological-geochemical peculiarities are studied, forecast reserves are estimated, potential practical use is defined for production of synthetic crude oil, different oil-products (benzene, ligroin, lubricants, etc.) and also extraction of chemical rare elements.

Keywords

• unconventional resources
• native bitumens
• petroleum-bitumen occurrence and fields
• outcrops of oil-bearing rocks
• brea cover
• oils
• isotopic – heavy and light asphaltenes
• trace elements