Vol. 337 No. 7 (2026)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/7/5602
The influence of dynamic and geodynamic processes on the distribution of hydrocarbon-bearing regions
Relevance. The South Caspian megadepression is a structurally and geodynamically complex region where the formation and spatial distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations are controlled by an interplay of tectonic, lithofacies, and dynamic stress factors. Aim. To determine the orientation of predominantly submeridional belts associated with both active and passive continental margins and to evaluate whether their distribution reflects deep geodynamic processes and dynamic stresses induced by Earth rotation and gravitational interactions with celestial bodies. Methods. The study is based on an integrated regional comparative and geodynamic analysis of global and regional hydrocarbon basins. Tectonic maps, lithospheric plate reconstructions, and geological data were analyzed to evaluate the spatial relationships between hydrocarbon belts, subduction zones, rift systems, and passive continental margins. A comparative assessment of selected petroleum provinces, including the South Caspian Basin, was performed to determine how lithospheric stress fields, plate motions, and basin orientation control hydrocarbon accumulation and prospectivity. Structural trends were evaluated using regional tectonic maps and plate reconstructions, whereas geodynamic interpretation was performed through qualitative integration of plate kinematics, regional stress-field orientation, and basin evolution models. Conclusion. Alternating compressional and extensional forces along deep fractures have periodically replenished both sedimentary and crystalline reservoirs with fluids, sustaining continuous hydrocarbon generation in this “cold” basin. Vertical movements of lithospheric blocks, driven by these geodynamic processes, created zones of uplift and subsidence, promoting denudation in elevated areas and sediment accumulation in depressions. This structural heterogeneity created optimal conditions for organic matter deposition and hydrocarbon entrapment. Overall, the distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations in the South Caspian megadepression demonstrates a direct link to both global-scale geodynamic processes and local dynamic stress fields. Understanding these interactions is essential for evaluating petroleum potential in structurally complex basins and integrating tectonic, geophysical, and dynamic analyses for hydrocarbon exploration.
For citation: Nasibova G.J., Ganbarova Sh.A. The influence of dynamic and geodynamic processes on the distribution of hydrocarbon-bearing regions. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Assets Engineering, 2026, vol. 337, no. 7, pp. 125-136. https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/7/5602
Keywords:
subduction, hydrocarbon accumulation, depression mechanisms, geodynamic and tectonic development, Coriolis force, South Caspian megadepression
References:
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1. Zezhang S., Xiaoheng D., Benjian Z., Bingfei G., Xingwang T., Xiao Ch., Kui M., Hanlin P., Yunlong W., Dailin Y. Dynamic reconstruction of the hydrocarbon generation, accumulation, and evolution history in ultra-deeply-buried strata. Frontiers in Earth Science, 2022, 10:927903. DOI: 10.3389/feart.2022.927903
2. Roure F. Tectonic and geodynamic controls on petroleum systems in compressional basins. Advances in Geophysics, Tectonics and Petroleum Geosciences, Proceedings of the 2nd Springer Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (CAJG-2). April 2022. pp. 587–592. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-73026-0_131
3. Gavrilov V.P. Geodynamic approach to the problem of oil origin. Geology, geophysics and development of oil and gas fields. Moscow, JSC "VNIIOENG" Publ., 2010. Vol. 7, pp. 15–22. (In Russ.)
4. Arezki R., Matsumoto A. Technology and Unconventional Sources in the Global Oil Market. Shifting Commodity Markets in a Globalized World. Eds. R. Arezki, A. Matsumoto. Washington, DC, International Monetary Fund (IMF), 2017. Chapter 2. DOI: 10.5089/9781484310328.071.ch002.
5. Xin Z., Wang I. Differentiating induced versus spontaneous subduction initiation using thermomechanical models and metamorphic soles. Nature Communications. 2021, 12:4632. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24896-x
6. Liu W.-L., Liang H., Furnes H., Zhang X., Zeng Q.-G., Ma Y.-L., Yan C., Ding R.-X., Zhong Y., Gu R.-X. A snapshot of subduction initiation within a back-arc basin: Insights from Shiquanhe ophiolite, western Tibet. Geoscience Frontiers, 2025, vol. 16, no. 5, Article 102088. DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2025.102088
7. Eppelbaum L., Katz Y., Kadirov F., Guliyev I., Ben-Avraham Z. Geodynamic, tectonophysical, and structural comparison of the South Caspian and Levant Basins: a review. Geosciences, 2025, vol. 15 (8), 281. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15080281
8. Yaoru L., Chenfeng G., Wenyu Zh., Chengyao W., Zhenlian Q., Kai Zh., Shaokang H. Prediction and early warning analysis of reservoir bank slopes based on anti-sliding stability evolution. Geological Frontiers, 2025, vol. 16 (5), 102113. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2025.102113
9. Usova V.M. Tectonic conditions of origin and geodynamic setting of opening of the rifts of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Adena. Geotectonics, 2025, (1), 89–103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S0016853X25010051
10. Tahmazova T.H., Mehdizadeh F.Z. Caspian Sea level change as an indicator of global and regional geological processes. Baku State University Journal of Earth Sciences & Environment, 2025, vol. 2 (4), pp. 51–56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30546/209805.2025.2.4.2034
11. Daniel M. Geodynamics as a framework for Earth system: examining mantle flow, lithospheric stress and tectonic evolution. Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 2025, vol. 14 (3), pp. 1–2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35248/2469-4134.25.14.395
12. Shiyu S., Yanlei Zh., Xinyu L., Qiwei L., Dadi C., Bei X. Late Paleozoic architecture, deformation, and geodynamics of the Xing’an – Mongolia intracontinental orogenic belt. Geological Frontiers, 2025, vol. 16 (5), 102120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2025.102120
13. Bin Li. Geochemical evidence for the origin of multiphase hydrocarbons in the deep carbonate platform margin: examples of Ordovician oil in the Yuke of the Tarim basin. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 2025, Parts A/B/C, vol. 140, 10405
14. Lobkovsky L.I., Baranov A.A., Bobrov A.M., Chuvaev A.V. The thermoconvective three-dimensional spherical model of modern Earth geodynamics: application to tectonics and regional geology. Geotectonics, 2025, (1), pp. 3–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S0016853X25010012
15. Rustamov M.I. Collision geodynamics of the Persian-Caucasian segment of the Mediterranean belt. Institute of Geology and Geophysics. Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, 2012, vol. 4, pp. 13–22. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.journalesgia.com/en/meqale/373/collision-geodynamics-of-persian-caucasian-segment-of-the-mediterranean-belt (accessed 15 March 2026).
16. Lygina E. A. Geological history of the Earth in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Historical geology for geographers, 2026, pp. 192–194. (In Russ.) Available at: https://teach-in.ru/lectures-conspects/historical-geology-for-geographers-M-lecture14.pdf (accessed 15March 2026).
17. Meghraoui M., Jolivet L., Wortel R., Conticelli S. Introduction to the Special Section in “Geodynamics, Crustal and Lithospheric Tectonics, and Active Deformation in the Mediterranean Regions” (A Tribute to Prof. Renato Funiciello). Tectonics, 2021, vol. 40, pp. 7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021TC006939.
18. Trifonov V.G., Sokolov S. Mesozoic-Cenozoic structure of the Black Sea-Caucasus-Caspian region and its relationship with the structure of the upper mantle. Geotectonics, 2020, vol. 3, pp. 55–81. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.31857/S0016853X20030108
19. Rustamov M.I. Geodynamics and magmatism of the Caspian-Caucasian segment of the Mediterranean belt in the Phanerozoic. Baku, 2008. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336232594_Geodynamics_and_magmatism_of_the_Caspian-Caucasian_segment_of_the_Mediterranean_belt_in_the_Phanerozoic (accessed 15 March 2026).
20. Shevchenko V.I., Lukk A.A., Prilepin M.T., Reylinger R.E. Modern geodynamics of the Mediterranean-Lesser Caucasus part of the Alpine-Indonesian mobile belt. Physics of the Earth, 2014, vol. 1, pp. 40–58. (In Russ.)
21. Svalova V.B. Geodynamics and geothermy of the Caspian basin and the eastern segment of the Caucasus region. Geology and Geophysics of Russian South, 2020, vol. 10 (4), pp. 52–69. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2020.92.72.004
22. Gurbanov V.Sh., Narimanov N.R. Prospects for oil and gas potential at great depths associated with the crystalline basement of the South Caspian megadepression. Mining and Geological Journal, 2016, vol. 1–2 (45–46), pp. 15–26. (In Russ.)
23. Huseynov J., Tagiyev A., Ismayilova M. Characteristics of the contemporary spatiotemporal distribution of atmospheric precipitation in the southern and southeastern parts of the Greater Caucasus region. Visnyk of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series Geology. Geography. Ecology, 2025, vol. 62, pp. 360–371. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/2410-7360-2025-62-27
24. Huseynov J., Tagiyev A. Current situation of glacier and snow glades in the southern mountain area of Lesser Caucasus province. Visnyk of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series Geology. Geography. Ecology, 2024, vol. 61, pp. 288–302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/2410-7360-2024-61-23
25. Ismayilova M., Tagiyev A. Research of thermal and mineral waters formation conditions in the Azerbaijan part (Karabakh and Nakhchivan) of the South Caucasus. Reliability: Theory & Applications, 2024, vol. 19 (SI 6 (81)), pp. 601–608. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24412/1932-2321-2024-681-601-608
26. Rustamov M.I. Main indicators of the collisional geodynamics of Zagros-Caucasian segment of Mediterranean belt. ANAS Transactions, Earth Sciences, Geology and Geophysics, 2015, vol. 1–2, pp. 3–14. (In Azerb.) Available at: https://journalesgia.com/wp-content/files/2015/01/2015_01_GG_Rustamov_az.pdf (accessed 15 March 2026).
27. Murphy J.B. Plate tectonics. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2026. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/plate-tectonics (accessed 15 March 2026).
28. Maguire D.W. Earth tides. EBSCO Research Starters, 2013. Available at: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/earth-and-atmospheric-sciences/earth-tides (accessed 15 March 2026).
29. Davide Z., Luciano T., Carlo D. Correlation between seismic activity and tidal stress perturbations highlights growing instability within the brittle crust. Scientific Reports, 2022, vol. 12, Article number: 7109.
30. Ruyu Y., Xiaodong Ch., Rumeng G., Jiangcun Zh., Ming Q., Heping S. Tidal modulation of seismicity between the Mw 6.4 and Mw 7.1 2019 ridgecrest earthquakes. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 2025, vol. 182 (6), pp. 2291–2301. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-025-03705-2
31. Sultan N., Riboulot V., Dupré S., Garziglia S., Ker S. The role of Earth tides in reactivating shallow faults and triggering seafloor methane emissions. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2024, 129, e2024JB030253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB030253
32. Aliyeva S. Geodynamic evolution of the Caspian megadepression and adjacent territories. Visnyk of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Geology, 2023, vol. 1, no. 100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.100.02
33. Gurbanov V., Narimanov N., Nasibova G. Impact of compressional stresses within the South Caspian megadepression upon evolution and oil and gas content of local uplifts. Visnyk of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Geology, 2025, vol. 3 (94), pp. 75–82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.94.09
