The paper features results of prospective potential assessment for unconventional hydrocarbons in the Lower Visean carbonate sequence of the Dnieper-Donets graben. Spatial development features for prospective rocks within different facies zones of the Lower Visean carbonate sequence are elucidated upon the basis of main criteria to evaluate exploration potential for unconventional hydrocarbons (lithological composition, rock thermal maturity, porosity and permeability, total organic matter content, and depth of occurrence). The role of litho-facies studies for unconventional hydrocarbons prospecting is shown.

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