Determination of hydrocarbon prospective areas in the Tuzgolu (Saltlake) Basin, central Anatolia, by using geophysical data

Tuzgolu Basin is the largest interior basin in Central Anatolia, Turkey, with significant hydrocarbon indications in outcrops and exploration wells. However, there is no commercial discovery since 1959 which is the beginning year of exploration activities. Because of the poor seismic quality, all available geological-geophysical data and methods should be used in integration with each other to carry out exploration activities. In previous studies, the basin was modeled three dimensionally (3D) using gravity data by the authors of this paper and results of the modeling study were published recently. The model results can be evaluated to determine probable hydrocarbon generation zones. Gravity anomalies in this region exhibit many inflections that could be prospective locations for hydrocarbons. In this study, the gravity data were subjected to the vertical derivative in order to isolate inflections and to determine concealed structurally high areas in the subsurface that could have hydrocarbon potential. These potential subsurface structures were also compared with the Analytical Signal map produced from the aeromagnetic anomalies to reveal if they are originated from a magmatic intrusion. Finally, it was determined that all exploration wells were drilled off-structure and none of these potential subsurface structures was tested. According to correlation of the previous well locations and determined subsurface structures in or around the hydrocarbon generation zones, it is possible to claim that the Tuzgolu Basin with no previous discovery remains prospective for hydrocarbon exploration activities in the future.