Structural Study of Khaje Salt Diaper in the NE of Tabriz, Research Possibility of Gas Storage Potential and Analitycal Modeling of Diapirism

The Study area is located in 15km Northeast of Tabriz in East-Azarbaidjan province. The rock units in the study area are limited and consist of different members of the Upper red formation (Miocene). Salt bed (Miocene) that diapired is related to the base of the mentioned formation. Due to the rising of this salt diapir, various structures such as marginal reverse faults, radial normal faults, folds and karsts are developed. In the Northern part of the Tabriz fault, there are a set of basin structures and diapirs, which all have a NW-SE extension axis. The Khaje salt diapir is formed in the southern margin of one of these basins. The different parameters affecting the rising of this salt diapir from which the most important one is the tectonic regime of the study area. The compressional stress causes the formation of these basins. Furthermore, the contact between the Tabriz fault and Nahand (NW-SE) minor fault prepared a weak zone to rise the Khaje salt diapir. After the beginning of rising,other parameters such as buoyancy force, stability of compressional stresses and differential loading have caused the continuing and rising of the Khaje salt diapir. The Khaje salt diapir is young and still rising. In addition, analytical model analysis is evaluated diapirism initiation time about 31000 years. In terms of purity amount, NaCl percentage is very high; where there are no KCl and MgCl2 impurities; therefore, it is suitable for dissolution process. The marly interbeds of salt would make some difficulties in dissolution process. From the gas storage point of view, the depth of salt diapir and the evaluation of the reservoir volume are essential for underground researches and in order to get the accurate results 2D and 3D seismic studies are needed.