The Formation Conditions of Volga Radiolarian Deposits in the Bazhenov Epicontinental Marine Basin

The Bazhenov horizon has been studied since the middle of the 20th century and is still a promising prospect for oil and gas exploration. This article presents an overview of the structure of the siliceous radiolarite part of formations revealed in the section and composing the Bazhenov horizon. Three morphological types of radiolarite layers were identified: well-pronounced layers with erosional boundaries, lens-shaped radiolarites with clear boundaries, and poorly traced layers and single radiolarite lenses. The formation of radiolarians of different types is associated with benthic paleoflows. Areal localization of these types of deposits enables us to determine the areas affected by benthic paleoflows in the Volga age and thus to identify the most prospective exploration areas.