Kazakhstan journal for oil & gas industryKazakhstan journal for oil & gas industry2707-42262957-806XKMG Engineering10869710.54859/kjogi108697Research ArticleIdentification of prospective oil-bearing areas in the peripheral parts of productive horizons U-12 and U-13 of the Zhetybai fieldAssylbayevaAinur O.a.assylbayeva@kmge.kzhttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-5948-5924KaramurzayevaAynur B.a.karamurzaeva@kmge.kzhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-5205-8849Branch of KMG Engineering LLP KazNIPImunaigaz181020246331470612202306092024Copyright © 2024, Assylbayeva A.O., Karamurzayeva A.B.2024<p><strong>Background: </strong>To date, a comprehensive range of scientific, geological exploration, and appraisal work has been conducted at the Zhetybai field. The overall structural map of the field has been relatively well established. However, several critical issues remain insufficiently studied or entirely unexplored. Based on the results of seismic exploration (3D common depth point method) and additional appraisal work, peripheral (edge) zones of the field structure have been identified, including its cross-faults, as well as transverse flexures and longitudinal faults on the southern wing of the structure, which require further investigation.</p> <p><strong>Aim:</strong> To further study the field structure, identify new potential hydrocarbon areas in the peripheral parts of the field, and assess the oil potential of the U-12 and U-13 horizons in the Zhetybai field.</p> <p><strong>Materials and methods:</strong> This study involved a qualitative assessment of the informativeness of seismic attributes, analysis of reflection geometry (configuration), dynamic amplitude parameters, continuity of frequency, and other indicators. The analysis of reflection characteristics, in conjunction with all available data, primarily geophysical survey data, allowed for hypothesizing sedimentary conditions and obtaining acceptable lithological assessments.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> The evaluation wells J-1, J-2, and J-3, drilled in 2023-2024 in the peripheral parts beyond the approved boundary of hydrocarbon-bearing horizons U-12 and U-13, yielded positive results. The productivity of the new reservoir was also confirmed by newly drilled production wells 5333, 5652, and 5367.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> To further study the structure of the Zhetybai field and identify new potential hydrocarbon-bearing areas in the peripheral parts, as well as structural uplifts and sandstone bodies of horizons U-12 and U-13, evaluation wells J-1, J-2, and J-3 were drilled. The detailed identification of sandstone bodies allows for the prediction of prospective areas not covered by drilling. The positive results from drilling evaluation wells have refined the geological structure of horizons U-12 and U-13 and confirmed the productivity of the peripheral parts of the reservoirs.</p>hydrocarbon potentialreservoirhorizonJurassic sedimentsstructureresourcesreservesevaluation wellsмұнайгаздылықкенішгоризонтюра түзілімдеріқұрылымресурстарықорларыбағалау ұңғыларынефтегазоносностьзалежьгоризонтюрские отложенияструктураресурсызапасыоценочные скважины1.Borodacheva EV, Dzhangirov AN, Shestakov AG, Bogomazov AI, et al. Otchet o rezul'tatakh obrabotki i interpretatsii dannykh seysmorazvedochnykh rabot MOGT 3D, vypolnennykh v predelakh kontraktnoy territorii AO «MMG» na mestorozhdeniyakh Zhetybaj, Bekturly i Pridorozhnoye. Aktau: Mangistaumnajgaz; 2017. (In Russ).2.Safonov AA, Kondrat’eva OA, Fedotova O.V. Poisk neantiklinal'nykh lovushek uglevodorodov metodami sejsmorazvedki. Moscow: Scientific world; 2011. 512 p. (In Russ).3.Sarybayev MA, Karamurzayeva AB, Amire YB, et al. Postroyeniye detal'noy geologo-gidrodinamicheskoy modeli mestorozhdeniya Zhetybaj. Aktau: KazNIPImunajgaz; 2019. (In Russ).4.Robertson Research International Limited. Report No.: AF759.5.Vinogradov AP, editor. Atlas of lithological and paleogeographic maps of the USSR. Moscow: Ministry of Geology of the USSR; 1968. (In Russ).6.Zhajkanov AB, Karamurzayeva AB, Bakiyeva AB, et al. Lokalizatsiya nedreniruyemykh zapasov gorizonta Yu-8 mestorozhdeniya Zhetybaj. Aktau: KazNIPImunajgaz; 2021. (In Russ).7.Zhaykanov AB, Keykova AK, Kul'balayeva AA, Apakayeva AZ. Otsenka potentsiala neftenosnosti po razmeshcheniyu otsenochnykh skvazhin mestorozhdeniya Zhetybai. Aktau: KazNIPImunaygaz; 2022. (In Russ).8.Zhaykanov AB, Boribayev ZM, Asylbayeva AO, et al. Sedimentologicheskiy analiz yurskikh produktivnykh gorizontov na mestorozhdenii Zhetybai po rezul'tatam standartnykh i spetsial'nykh issledovaniy kerna novykh skvazhinakh. Aktau: KazNIPImunaygaz; 2023. (In Russ).