Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust belt
The Middle East serves as a vital center for global energy production, largely attributable to its vast hydrocarbon reserves, especially within the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (ZFTB). This study specifically investigates the influence of the Nezamabad Fault on sedimentation and hydrocarbon accumulation...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Solid Earth Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451912X25000157 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849688399798075392 |
|---|---|
| author | Mina Farzaneh Zahra Maleki Mehran Arian Mohammad Ali Ganjavian Pooria Kianoush |
| author_facet | Mina Farzaneh Zahra Maleki Mehran Arian Mohammad Ali Ganjavian Pooria Kianoush |
| author_sort | Mina Farzaneh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Middle East serves as a vital center for global energy production, largely attributable to its vast hydrocarbon reserves, especially within the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (ZFTB). This study specifically investigates the influence of the Nezamabad Fault on sedimentation and hydrocarbon accumulation within the external Fars region. Advanced methodologies— including isopach maps and basin modeling—were employed to examine the spatial distribution of source rocks, reservoir rocks, and cap rocks around the Nezamabad Fault. Notably, the findings reveal that the Nezamabad Fault functions as a significant basement fault, actively controlling hydrocarbon distribution during geological epochs. The isopach maps show significant differences in formation thickness, which reflect variations in regional stress patterns. This differential stress has been fundamental in forming fractures, folds, and structural traps, critical for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. The analyses indicate that areas adjacent to the Nezamabad Fault demonstrate potential for successful drilling efforts, especially within the Fahliyan and Sarvak Formations, which have shown consistent thickness patterns, suggesting stable sedimentation conditions. Conversely, the Ilam and Gurpi Formations exhibited significant thickness variations influenced by tectonic activity, indicating a more complex sedimentological environment. The integration of isopach data with geomechanical modeling and geological insights has enhanced the understanding of the complex relationships between stress dynamics and hydrocarbon potential in the ZFTB. These findings have significant implications, providing a foundation for refining exploration and production strategies to optimize hydrocarbon extraction in this energy-rich region. Additionally, the critical role of basement faults in hydrocarbon systems has been highlighted, paving the way for future research aimed at improving resource utilization in the Middle East. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d9ad41c82d90483eac37e1c42879a5bc |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2451-912X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Solid Earth Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d9ad41c82d90483eac37e1c42879a5bc2025-08-20T03:22:00ZengElsevierSolid Earth Sciences2451-912X2025-06-0110210024210.1016/j.sesci.2025.100242Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust beltMina Farzaneh0Zahra Maleki1Mehran Arian2Mohammad Ali Ganjavian3Pooria Kianoush4Department of Earth Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Earth Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Corresponding author. Science and Research Branch, Daneshgah Blvd, Simon Bulivar Blvd, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran 1477893855, Iran.Department of Earth Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranFaculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, IranDepartment of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; National Iranian Oil Company, Exploration Directorate (NIOC-EXP), Tehran, IranThe Middle East serves as a vital center for global energy production, largely attributable to its vast hydrocarbon reserves, especially within the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (ZFTB). This study specifically investigates the influence of the Nezamabad Fault on sedimentation and hydrocarbon accumulation within the external Fars region. Advanced methodologies— including isopach maps and basin modeling—were employed to examine the spatial distribution of source rocks, reservoir rocks, and cap rocks around the Nezamabad Fault. Notably, the findings reveal that the Nezamabad Fault functions as a significant basement fault, actively controlling hydrocarbon distribution during geological epochs. The isopach maps show significant differences in formation thickness, which reflect variations in regional stress patterns. This differential stress has been fundamental in forming fractures, folds, and structural traps, critical for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. The analyses indicate that areas adjacent to the Nezamabad Fault demonstrate potential for successful drilling efforts, especially within the Fahliyan and Sarvak Formations, which have shown consistent thickness patterns, suggesting stable sedimentation conditions. Conversely, the Ilam and Gurpi Formations exhibited significant thickness variations influenced by tectonic activity, indicating a more complex sedimentological environment. The integration of isopach data with geomechanical modeling and geological insights has enhanced the understanding of the complex relationships between stress dynamics and hydrocarbon potential in the ZFTB. These findings have significant implications, providing a foundation for refining exploration and production strategies to optimize hydrocarbon extraction in this energy-rich region. Additionally, the critical role of basement faults in hydrocarbon systems has been highlighted, paving the way for future research aimed at improving resource utilization in the Middle East.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451912X25000157Stress dynamicsNezamabad faultHydrocarbon potentialIsopach mappingZagros fold-thrust beltBasement faults |
| spellingShingle | Mina Farzaneh Zahra Maleki Mehran Arian Mohammad Ali Ganjavian Pooria Kianoush Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust belt Solid Earth Sciences Stress dynamics Nezamabad fault Hydrocarbon potential Isopach mapping Zagros fold-thrust belt Basement faults |
| title | Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust belt |
| title_full | Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust belt |
| title_fullStr | Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust belt |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust belt |
| title_short | Investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo-environment of the external Fars region, Zagros fold-thrust belt |
| title_sort | investigating hydrocarbon potential utilizing isopach maps in the paleo environment of the external fars region zagros fold thrust belt |
| topic | Stress dynamics Nezamabad fault Hydrocarbon potential Isopach mapping Zagros fold-thrust belt Basement faults |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451912X25000157 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT minafarzaneh investigatinghydrocarbonpotentialutilizingisopachmapsinthepaleoenvironmentoftheexternalfarsregionzagrosfoldthrustbelt AT zahramaleki investigatinghydrocarbonpotentialutilizingisopachmapsinthepaleoenvironmentoftheexternalfarsregionzagrosfoldthrustbelt AT mehranarian investigatinghydrocarbonpotentialutilizingisopachmapsinthepaleoenvironmentoftheexternalfarsregionzagrosfoldthrustbelt AT mohammadaliganjavian investigatinghydrocarbonpotentialutilizingisopachmapsinthepaleoenvironmentoftheexternalfarsregionzagrosfoldthrustbelt AT pooriakianoush investigatinghydrocarbonpotentialutilizingisopachmapsinthepaleoenvironmentoftheexternalfarsregionzagrosfoldthrustbelt |