GEOPHYSICS, VOL. 62, NO. 3 (MAY-JUNE 1997); P. 831–841, 11 FIGS.

Magnetic and gravity anomaly patterns related to

hydrocarbon fields in northern West Siberia

Alexey L. Piskarev∗ and Mikhail Yu Tchernyshev∗

potential-field anomalies with the distribution of the oil and gas

ABSTRACT deposits. In the first phase of development (a time when suit-
able seismic data were not available), exploratory wells were
A study of the features of gravity and magnetic fields
drilled frequently on local gravity minima. Subsequently, seis-
in the vicinity of oil and gas reservoirs in West Siberia
mic mapping of uplifts and anticlines became the dominant
demonstrated a spatial relationship with the hydrocar-
exploration technique. We are now entering the next explo-
bon deposits.
ration phase; we have exhausted the inventory of undrilled an-
The relevant magnetic and gravity anomalies cover ap-
ticlines and must use a synergistic approach, which integrates
proximately 900 000 km2 in northern West Siberia. Am-
gravimetry and magnetometry with seismology, to find new
plitude and frequency were investigated initially using
prospects.
double Fourier spectrum (DFS) analysis. This was fol-
Gravity and magnetic field anomalies in West Siberia are
lowed by (1) application of transformations, filtering, and
produced mainly by substantial heterogeneity or relief of base-
“moving windows” analysis; (2) compilation of maps of
ment.
regional and local anomalies, and potential field deriva-
A dense network of seismic profiles covers most of the West
tives; and (3) investigation of the distribution of param-
Siberian plate. In addition, pre-Jurassic layers have been drilled
eters in areas of known deposits.
at several points. This establishes that the lower boundary of
Hydrocarbon deposits are located mostly at the slopes
the Meso-Cainozoic cover lies between 3.5 km and 8.0 km in
of positive regional gravity and magnetic anomalies
northern West Siberia. It is assumed that this boundary sinks
which are interpreted as relating to deep riftogenic struc-
to a depth of 10–11 km at the northern margin of West Siberia.
tures. At the same time, it is established that the location
Three regional seismic refraction boundaries lie under the
of hydrocarbon depositions coincides commonly with lo-
pre-Jurassic suites and are characterized by specific veloci-
cal gravity and magnetic minima generated by lows in
ties. The upper refraction boundary Ir is 0.5–1.0 km below
basement density and magnetization. All known hydro-
the pre-Jurassic surface (see Figure 11). The middle refrac-
carbon deposits in northern West Siberia are in areas
tion boundary IIr (V = 6.0–6.4 km/s) hasn’t been confirmed
characterized by comparatively high gradients of con-
by drilling data. It is thought that boundary IIr separates the
stituent of gravity anomalies with a wavelength of about
Upper-Paleozoic–Triassic horizons from the lower Cambrian-
90–100 km. These newly revealed links between reser-
Riphean carbonate-dolomite complex. Refraction boundary
voirs and potential field parameters may be a means
IIIr (V = 6.4–7.2 km/s) is defined as a crustal basement sur-
to predict new discoveries in poorly explored territories
face. This is assumed because it has the same velocities as Pro-
and seas, primarily in Russia’s Arctic shelf.
terozoic gneisses and shales at the West Siberia margins. The
basement surface marked by the IIIr boundary is fragmentar-
ily traced from 8 km down to 20 km in this area. Most re-
INTRODUCTION
searchers think this plate basement to be heterogeneous and
Analysis of gravity and magnetic anomalies has been a per- heterochronous. The northern part of this basement consists
manent component of hydrocarbon exploration and discov- of basic rocks and can be compared with blocks of so-called
ery in West Siberia for half a century. The results, includ- “basalt windows” or “graniteless lithosphere.”
ing solutions of direct and inverse gravity/magnetic problems, Calculations suggest that some sources of the gravity and
are used to provide prospects in different structural zones. magnetic anomalies are located in pre-Jurassic rocks but that
There has also been direct comparison of spatial elements of they are concentrated in the basement. Source depths of the

Manuscript received by the Editor December 5, 1994; revised manuscript received July 29, 1996.
∗
VNIIOkeangeologia, Anglijsky pr.1, 190121 St. Petersburg, Russia.
°c 1997 Society of Exploration Geophysicists. All rights reserved.

831
832 Piskarev and Tchernyshev

magnetic anomalies are estimated as ranging from 8–10 km
to 14–15 km (Surkov and Zhiro, 1981). Magnetization of the
source bodies is between 1 and 5 A/m, typical for basic and ul-
trabasic rocks. Gravity anomalies do not correlate with either
the basement surface or with the Moho boundary. Gravity min-
ima are more often above basement uplifts than above depres-
sions. If the thickness of the laterally heterogeneous basement
is estimated as 10–20 km, the density difference between the
adjacent blocks would be 0.05–0.1 g/cm3 . These values are sim-
ilar to common density differences between adjacent series of
Precambrian shield rocks.
There was an attempt to determine the periodic components
of the potential fields (Aplonov, 1992). This required a range
of basement density from less than 2.6 g/cm3 to more than
3.0 g/cm3 to satisfy the measured gravity data. Because such
a range of densities is not typical of crustal basement series,
the results of the gravity operations must be deemed less than
encouraging.
The study of magnetic anomalies in the meridianal zone
along the Pur River seemed more successful. The components
of the magnetic field, with wavelengths of 30–70 km, are similar
to the spreading anomalies of the modern oceans. Comparison
with the known scale of magnetic field inversions allowed the
assumption that the basalt series of Ob paleoocean bottom is
preserved in the basement of this zone. This idea was initially
proposed in B. V. Gusev (1974).
INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
The studied area lies north of the latitudinal reaches of the
Ob River and extends to the Kara Sea Shelf (Figure 1).
This region includes several giant oil and gas deposits
(such as Urengoy, Yamburg, Kharasavey, Krasnoleninsky arch,
Northern arch) and many smaller fields.
The interpretation is based on the gravity and magnetic
maps that were issued after amalgamation of data of many
surveys. An ordinary density of gravity measurements is 1
point per 10 km2 ; accuracy of Bouguer anomalies is better
than 0.8 mGal. An ordinary space between lines of aero-
magnetic surveys is 2 km, and accuracy of magnetic anomaly
measurements is better than 5–10 nT.

FIG. 1. Area of interest. Dashed line represents the boundary for maps shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 9. AA0 represents the line of
cross-section (see Figure 11). SG-6 refers to the ultradeep hole.
 Patterns of Anomalies at West Siberia 833

Modern methods of data analysis have allowed a recently
revised geologic picture of this area based on gravity and
magnetic data. Amplitude and frequency of gravity and mag-
netic anomalies were initially investigated using double Fourier
spectrum analysis. This was followed by application of trans-
formations, filtering, and “moving windows” analysis. Then so-
lution of direct and inverse problems and investigation of the
distribution of parameters in areas of known deposits were
executed.
The double Fourier spectrum (DFS) analysis is the first
method (Nettleton, 1976; Mesko, 1984; Davis, 1986). This
method generates a 2-D potential-field spectrum in the form of
contour lines of energy (Figures 2 and 3). DFS diagrams clearly
show the amplitude, frequency, and spatial characteristics of
the potential fields. DFS synthesis of different harmonics allows
presentation of anomalies from the perspective of different
wavelengths and orientations. DFS are the best approximating
functions (when compared to power series) when data consist
of repetitive spatial sequences. In the studied area, alternating
uplifts and depressions in sediment-covered structures along
with an alternating series of steeply declined basement lay-
ers (whose constituent rocks have different physical proper-
ties) are related to alternating positive and negative gravity
and magnetic anomalies. DFS reveals a relationship between
anomalies with different wavelengths, and gives possibility to
choose correctly the parameters of filtering, transformation,
and subdivision.
Moving windows analysis is the next step. Potential-field
derivatives that generate gradient, variation, and dispersion
values (along with many other parameters) are calculated for
windows of various sizes.
The third step is analysis of sources and the nature of the
anomalies via solution of direct and inverse problems. For
investigation of gravity sources, a grid-approximation base is
used because it allows computation of densities in the prespec-
ified limits at the fixed geometry of the cross-section (2-D solu-
tion) or whole lower semispace (3-D solution). These limits are
set with the help of existing petrophysical data. The presented

FIG. 2. Double Fourier spectrum of anomaly gravity field at the area 625 × 1000 km2 . Period of anomalies along
the x-axis: Tx = 625/x km; period of anomalies along the y-axis: Ty = 1000/y km. The gridded gravity field is
centered by an inclined plane before DFS analysis, so the energy of T0 is 0. Values for the various shadings are in
percent of maximum energy. α refers to a location on the x-axis which represents a wavelength of approximately
100 km.
834 Piskarev and Tchernyshev
transection (Figure 11) has been computed as 2.5-D solution,
i.e., an extent of bodies along the y-axis, perpendicular to the
image plane, was taken into account.
The final step is statistical analysis of the relationship be-
tween different components and characteristics of 1T and 1g
with respect to lateral distribution of oil and gas reservoirs.
Parameters related to known hydrocarbon deposits are then
compared with data from the entire region to predict possible
new deposits. These parameters can also be used to compile
similar probability maps for poorly surveyed territories.
The original programs for all methods of analysis were writ-
ten, and then they have been realized on personal computers.
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Double Fourier spectrum analysis and synthesis
DFS of gravity and magnetic anomalies were computed us-
ing grids of 12.5 by 12.5 km.
As a first consideration of the gravity and magnetic spectra,
note the similarity of the characteristics of their long-wave (re-
gional) components. Four of the five harmonics that most con-
tribute to anomaly recognition coincide. The distinct maxima
of field energy relate to the same harmonic that characterizes
anomalies extending along the y-axis and has a 300 km period
FIG. 3. Double Fourier spectrum of anomaly magnetic field. Designations are the same as in Figure 2.
along the x-axis. The most likely sources of gravity anoma-
lies are upper mantle or lower crust heterogeneities. The main
contributor to the magnetic regional anomalies is probably the
upper part of the “basalt” layer of the crust because magnetiza-
tion of rocks at depths greater than 15–20 km declines rapidly
(Piskarev and Pavlenkin, 1985).
Intermediate-class anomalies (those with wavelengths of
100–200 km) are generally produced by sources at a depth
of more than 10 km. We can, when analyzing the nature of
sources, estimate only their maximum depths. However, the
ratio of an anomaly’s period and the depth of its upper bound-
ary is generally between 4 and 10 (Kane and Godson, 1985) and
this leads directly to the above assumption about intermediate-
class anomalies. DSF outlines two distinct groups in this class:
(1) a dominant group of meridianal anomalies with periods
of 125–156 km along the x-axis and length ratios along the
x and y axes of 1 : 2 . . . 1 : 5; and (2) a group with maxima at
the first-second harmonics along the x-axis (periods of 625–
312 km) and at the fifth-tenth harmonics along the y-axis (pe-
riods of 200–100 km), showing the contribution of latitudinal
anomalies. It’s difficult to find an essential difference between
the spectra of gravity and magnetic anomalies of the interme-
diate class. However, gravity energy attenuates more quickly
when anomaly periods decrease. And, remarkably, the distinct
 Patterns of Anomalies at West Siberia
energy maximum of gravity anomalies corresponding to the
sixth-seventh harmonics on the x-axis has no analog in the
spectrum of the magnetic anomaly.
Last, local class anomalies, those with less than 100 km pe-
riod, have sources near the pre-Jurassic surface or below the
crustal basement surface at its uplifts. The most remarkable dif-
ference between spectra of local magnetic and gravity anoma-
lies is the distinct maximum at the eighth-ninth harmonics
along the x-axis of the magnetic spectrum; this corresponds
to meridianal anomalies with periods of about 70 km.
Regional gravity anomalies were obtained by synthesizing
18 DSF harmonics with wavelengths of more than 200 km and
energy exceeding 5% from maximum (Figure 4). The most
remarkable anomaly is the positive anomaly along the so-called
Koltogor-Urengoy dipped rift (see Figure 11). Its source can
be approximated by the lens of the basic-ultrabasic rocks. The
upper arch of this lens is approximately 18 km deep. Oil and
gas fields are located mostly at the periphery of that regional
maximum in the zones of maximum horizontal gradients on
the maximum slope.
FIG. 4. Regional gravity anomalies—DFS synthesis of harmon-
ics with periods T > 200 km, contour values in mGal. Approxi-
mate boundaries of oil and gas fields are shown. Largest oil and
gas deposits: 1–Urengoy; 2–Yamburg; 3–Kharasavey; 4–Varie-
gan; 5–Northern arch.
835
Regional magnetic anomalies (Figure 5) were obtained in
a similar manner from the synthesis of 19 DSF harmonics.
A positive regional magnetic anomaly along the Pur River is
again clearly visible and, indeed, the northwestern branch of
the anomaly is imaged more clearly than in the gravity synthe-
sis. Most of the oil and gas fields are on the periphery of the
drawn anomaly.
The map in Figure 6 shows gravity anomalies created by
the synthesis of 20 DSF harmonics with wavelengths less
than 200 km. This map shows that the main direction of these
anomalies is north-northwest, 20-30◦ from the direction of
regional gravity and magnetic maxima. Hydrocarbon fields
tend to coincide with negative anomalies.
This relationship of such a tie to gravity or magnetic fields
was established by comparison of local anomaly values over
all of northern West Siberia with values at areas of known
deposits. After the primary data were averaged in 100 by
100 km windows, the local magnetic and gravity anomalies
were computed by subtraction. Figures 7 and 8 show distri-
butions of these anomalies above significant oil and gas fields.
FIG. 5. Regional magnetic anomalies—DFS synthesis of har-
monics with periods T > 200 km, contour values are in units
of 10 nT.
836 Piskarev and Tchernyshev
More than 80% of the fields in this area are within negative
contours.
It is interesting to investigate interrelationships between
known hydrocarbon deposits and anomalies synthesized from
DFS maxima. All valid maxima on the DFS diagrams corre-
spond to anomalies which have source bodies of specific out-
line and origin. Thus, studying the relationship of hydrocarbon
fields to these types of anomalies means studying its relation-
ship to bodies and structure that were formed at a particular
stage in the region’s geologic history.
Figure 9 illustrates such an interrelation. It shows the hori-
zontal gradient of gravity anomalies synthesized from five ad-
jacent DSF harmonics with the maximum energy harmonic at
x = 6, y = 0. The amplitudes of these anomalies, north- north-
west in direction, increase to the west of the Taz River and onto
the left bank at the lower Enisey River (i.e., at the hydrocarbon-
bearing areas). All the region’s known oil and gas reservoirs
are at sites characterized by the higher horizontal gradients of
the synthesized anomalies. Hydrocarbons aren’t found at areas
FIG. 6. “Middle class” gravity anomalies—DFS synthesis of
harmonics with periods of 200 km > T > 100 km, contour
values in mGal.
with lower horizontal gradients. Figure 10 shows the essential
differences between gravity gradient distributions of the entire
territory (1) and the hydrocarbon- bearing areas (2). When
only areas of large deposits are considered, the difference is
larger (3).
Gravity modeling
The density cross-section along line AA0 (see Figure 1) indi-
cates possible sources of the observed anomalies. This line tran-
sects the northern part of the West Siberian oil and gas province
in an east-northeastern direction from the Mansy syneclise at
west, across the Northern arch, to the Baikh depression in the
east. The upper part of the cross-section, compiled from seis-
mic and drilling data, includes 5 km of sediment cover (laid
down in the Jurassic through Cenozoic) which has an average
density of 2.31 g/cm3 . The sediment layers below it, estimated
to be Upper-Paleozoic–Triassic in age, have an average density
of 2.61 g/cm3 . It is thought that a basalt trap series replaces
the sediments near the Koltogor-Urengoy dipped rift, and this
causes density to increase to 2.73 g/cm3 . Note that ultradeep
hole SG-6 is drilling now in a depression near Urengoy. A
depth of 7.5 km has been reached and the proportion of basic
trap rocks increases with depth. Complete Triassic sequence is
drilled through, and Upper-Permian trap rocks are recovered
at the depth of 7.3 km.
Fragments of the supposed folded suite of Cambrian-
Riphean age are shown below. The density of this suite is
derived from inverse gravity computations and is equal to
2.69 g/cm3 . All sedimentary densities used in the computations
are in accordance with the petrophysical data (Ozerskaya and
Podoba, 1967).
The computed density of the basement rocks ranged from
2.64 g/cm3 to 2.84 g/cm3 (which is a common range for pre-
Cambrian basement rocks). Oil and gas fields in the area
are mostly at the periphery of depressions and above base-
ment suites with lower density. At the same time, basement
suites of high density are often under the centers of sediment
depressions.
DISCUSSION
An assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the
former Soviet Union, made 20 years ago, was based on sedi-
ment basin volume and paleosedimentation rate (Kontorovich
et al., 1975). Only depths of the anomaly sources (mostly in
basement) were used from gravity and magnetic data. Later,
correlations of gravity and magnetic anomalies and gradient
zones with swells, uplifts, and arches were used because of
the lack of seismic data. Today, new theories about genera-
tion and migration of oil and gas provide new bases for ex-
ploration by potential fields methods. The correlations of hy-
drocarbon reservoirs with geoblock junctions are intensively
studied. Riftogenic structures and deep faults, characterized
by the contrast gradient zones of 1g and 1T , acquired a new
meaning.
Petrophysical evidence suggests that extensive microcracks
exist in most mature source rocks which are undergoing the
major stage of hydrocarbon generation and migration (Vernik,
1994). Consequently, gravity and magnetic data can reveal tec-
tonic zones and structure which are favored routes of fluid
migrations.
 Patterns of Anomalies at West Siberia 837

A positive regional gravity anomaly, and almost coinciding
with it a positive regional magnetic anomaly, outline an area of
riftogenic structure of Permian-Triassic age. The source of that
anomaly, as a first approximation, can be assumed to be a lens
of basic-ultrabasic rocks. Oil and gas fields in the region are
located at the periphery of that lens, especially near its western
margin.
Figure 11 shows high-density basement zones below the sed-
imentary depressions. It is also remarkable that construction of
a model that satisfies the observed gravity anomalies does not
require any consideration of the deep crustal boundary relief
(including the Moho surface). The cross-section demonstrates
that lateral density differentiation is the main factor influenc-
ing “middle class” gravity anomalies, and it can also influence
the features of local and long-wave anomalies.
Oil and gas fields are located mainly within contours of local
negative gravity and magnetic anomalies, i.e., above basement
zones with decreased density and magnetization. We know that
decreasing density and magnetization are frequently observed
in basement series as a result of secondary alteration. Conse-
quently, the revealed negative anomalies are in good agree-
ment with the theory that epigenetic processes play an impor-
tant role in the generation of hydrocarbon deposits (Lebedev,
1992).

FIG. 7. Comparison of distributions for (a) local gravity anomalies of the entire province, and (b) local gravity
anomalies coincident with large oil and gas fields.
838 Piskarev and Tchernyshev

In regard to synthesized partial gravity anomalies (see
Figure 9), note that (1) anomaly direction is parallel to esti-
mated riftogenic structure, and (2) high gradient area is asym-
metric about the axis of this structure. Obviously asymmetric
spatial distribution of some structures, responsible for the for-
mation of oil and gas deposits, takes place.
It is possible to estimate the probabilities for new discover-
ies in the southern part of the Kara Sea by application of the
perceived interrelationships between discovered deposits and
specific parameters of gravity and magnetic fields. The South-
ern Kara depression is the same geotectonic unit as that of
northern West Siberia, and has very large hydrocarbon reserves
(Salmanov et al., 1993). There are only a limited number of the
seismic profiles there, and gravity and magnetic surveys data
are still of great importance for reconnaissance.
CONCLUSIONS
DFS study of gravity and magnetic anomalies, subsequent
synthesis of the different anomaly classes, and modeling of their
sources lead to the following conclusions:
1) Most oil and gas fields in the northern part of the West
Siberian province are located at the periphery of the re-
gional positive gravity and magnetic anomaly. The source
can be approximated by the asymmetric lens of basic
rocks with the steeper western slope of the upper arch.

FIG. 8. Comparison of distributions for (a) local magnetic anomalies of the entire province and (b) local magnetic
anomalies coincident with large oil and gas fields.
 Patterns of Anomalies at West Siberia
FIG. 9. Horizontal gradient of the partial gravity anomalies
of the north-northwest direction, synthesized using 5 adjacent
DFS harmonics with the maximal energy harmonic at x = 6,
y = 0 (α on Figure 2).
839
2) Synthesis of local and “middle class” anomalies and com-
parative analysis of oil and gas distribution reveal an in-
terrelationship between the hydrocarbon deposits and
gravity and magnetic minima. Modeling of the anomaly
sources shows that the sources of the observed minima
are consistent with relatively low density and low mag-
netization regions of the crustal basement.
3) Analysis of the derivative parameter maps by the “mov-
ing window” technique reveals other parameters which
demonstrate a spatial relationship with hydrocarbon de-
posits. A spectacular example is a map of the horizontal
gradients of partial gravity anomalies with wavelengths
of about 90–100 km. All known deposits are associated
with comparatively high anomaly gradients.
REFERENCES
Aplonov, S. V., 1992, Ocean lithosphere in basement of the West
Siberian plate: Soviet Geology, no. 5, 23–28.
Davis, J. C., 1986, Statistics and data analysis in geology: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.
Kane, M. F., and Godson, R. H., 1985, Features of a pair of long-
wavelength (>250 km) and short-wavelength (<250 km) Bouguer
gravity maps of the United States, in Hinze W. J., Ed., The utility of
regional gravity and magnetic anomaly maps: Soc. of Expl. Geophys.,
46–61.
Kontorovich, A. E., Nesterov, A. A., Salmanov, F. K. et al., 1975, Ge-
ology of oil and gas at the West Siberia: Nedra.
Lebedev, B. A., 1992, Geochemistry of epigenetic processes in the sed-
iment basins: Nedra.
Mesko, A., 1984, Digital filtering: applications in geophysical explo-
ration for oil: Akademiai Kiado.
Nettleton, L. L., 1976, Gravity and magnetics in oil prospecting:
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Nesterov, I. I., Bochkarev, V. S., and Purtova, S. I., 1995, Unique se-
quence of Trias in West Siberia: DAN RAN, 340, 659–663.
Ozerskaya, M. I., and Podoba, N. V., Eds., 1967, Physical properties of
the sediment cover of the USSR territory: Nedra.
Piskarev, A. L., and Pavlenkin, A. D., 1985, Evaluation of the rock
magnetization alteration in the deep Earth conditions, based on the
joint interpretation of magnetic and seismic exploration data: DAN
USSR, 282, 41–44.
Salmanov, F. K., Gramberg, I. S., Klestchev, K. A., Grace, J., Shpilman,
V. I., Misnikova, G. P., and Zmanovskiy, N. I., 1993, Hydrocarbon po-
tential of the arctic basins—future of the world’s power engineering:
Mineral Resources of Russia, No. 6, 10–17.
Surkov, V. S., and Zhiro, O. G., 1981, Basement and development of
the platform cover of the West Siberian plate: Nauka.
Vernik, L., 1994, Hydrocarbon-generation-induced microcracking of
source rocks: Geophysics, 59, 555–563.
840 Piskarev and Tchernyshev

a)

b)

c)

FIG. 10. Comparison of the distributions of the horizontal gradient values of the synthetic gravity anomalies
related to the entire DFS analysis area (a), above HC fields (b), and above only large hydrocarbon fields (c).
 Patterns of Anomalies at West Siberia
FIG. 11. Cross-section of density model along profile AA0 (see Figure 1). Comparison of measured values of 1g (pluses) with calculated response to
model (single line). Regional refraction boundaries: Ir —pre-Jurassic suite, IIr —pre-Upper Paleozoic Suite, and IIIr —crustal basement.

841