Reassessment of Hydrocarbon Potential in Northern Caspian Shelf

This technical report presents a reassessment of geological exploration in the Kazakhstan Sector of the Caspian Sea (KSCS), focusing on the application of pre-stack depth migration (PSDM) to improve subsurface imaging and interpretation of seismic data. The study integrates approximately 5,000-line km of 2D depth-migrated seismic data that were reprocessed to enhance the understanding of the presalt Paleozoic section. The results indicate the identification of several structures with significant recoverable resources, estimated at around 1,550 million metric tons (MMT) of oil in the Paleozoic targets and 365 MMT in the Triassic structures. The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive reassessment of the region's hydrocarbon potential, especially in light of previous exploration challenges and the declining investor interest. The findings suggest that the southern margin of the paleo-Caspian basin may hold substantial reserves, warranting further exploration and development efforts.