Cenozoic graben facies in the Middle Amur sedimentary basin as inferred from seismic and electrical exploration

Most of the grabens of the Middle Amur sedimentary basin (MASB) are usually characterized by similar structures typical of continental rifts. Based on models elaborated for the sedimentary infill in well-studied rift basins, seismic facies developed in grabens of the MASB are first analyzed. The analysis revealed seismic facies characteristic of different parts of asymmetrical basins: facies of fans developed on steep slopes and facies of coastal shoals, alluvial plains, and deltas occurring on gentle slopes. Seismic facies peculiar of deep lacustrine settings that are considered promising with respect to oil-and gas-bearing source rocks is recognized. Correlation of seismic and drilling data confirms the correctness of the interpretations and shows that boreholes penetrated a thin sequence of deep-water lacustrine sediments. Using the vertical electrical sounding method, a low-resistivity sequence that is most promising for discovery of lacustrine sediments is defined in the southwestern and eastern parts of the MASB. The lowest values of the specific resistivity in this sequence (7–8 Ohm · m) are recorded in its southeastern part, where a borehole partly recovered a relatively thick silty-clayey sequence.