SOME GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION SAFE OPERATION

Shale revolution led to the great results in the United States, and the same is in Russia. It has been already recognized that in the most of regions the number of traditional hydrocarbon traps has almost became obsolete. Research, studies of non-anticlinal hydrocarbon traps, among which the significant proportion relates to traps due to active faults, is being conducted: in the shelf area, in the Eastern and Western Siberia. The special role of the fault is in the formation of the large aggregate of difficultly mapped hydrocarbon accumulations — tectonically dependent secondary accumulations. The effect of fault tectonics on fluid dynamics is obvious. Common features of the deposits assigned to tectonites are primarily related to bazhenites, which had been studied most of all among shale formations. The process of ensuring safe exploration works in the conditions of the development of tectonites (bazhenites) includes two (as minimum) geologic elements: comprehensive analysis of all the geological and geophysic material with regard to the identification and tracking of active faults and the local forecast of areas of their maximum influence — zones of abnormally high formation pressures; implementation of design solutions with risk minimization during the construction of an exploration hole under the direct guidance by the geologist, who shall ensure safe opening of the formations with abnormally high formation pressure and completeness of geological study. In order to avoid unjustified loss of time and money, to minimize risks, ensure the highest safety during search of shale hydrocarbons, it is required to organize coordination and cooperation of forces of all those involved in this complex process. And in the first instance, this must be implemented among the geological services of organizations. The efficient solution of the problem will require conducting of the complete and objective revision of all the obsolete geological and geophysical material. This will clarify not only the further fate of the «obsolete» fields, but it will also facilitate the safer operation of oil and gas exploration at the new shale fields.