FLUIDS OF MUD VOLCANOES IN THE SOUTHERN CASPIAN SEDIMENTARY BASIN: GEOCHEMISTRY AND SOURCES IN LIGHT OF NEW DATA ON THE CARBON, HYDROGEN, AND OXYGEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

The Southern Caspian Basin (SCB) is a unique region of the Earth where giant oil and oil–gas-condensate fields occur in association with oil–gas mud volcanoes. Practically all exploited hydrocarbon fields of this region are accompanied by manifestations of oil–gas mud activity, which confirms their close relations. Mud volcanoes have deep roots, penetrating to zones of oil and gas generation, and, hence, they serve as fluid path-ways to upper structural levels.