Θέμα: “Εκτίμηση Ενεργειακών Αποθεμάτων στην ανατολική Μεσόγειο – Η Επόμενη Μέρα”
There are three different regions, with different geological evolution and hydrocarbon prospectivity, but so equivalent in their necessity for the development of east med pipeline route. These regions are: 1. the Levantine with Herodotus basins, 2. the Mediterranean ridge south of Crete Island and as far as south of Zakynthos island and 3. Western Greece, in general, including both offshore areas along the Ionian Islands and onshore areas along western Greece.
1. The eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea is of great geological interest. One of the main interesting topics is the genesis and the development of hydrocarbon fields in the area. The analysis of the palaeogeographic evolution of two major basins in eastern Mediterranean Sea, such as Levantine basin and Herodotus basin, shows the same evolution and accommodate the same sediment types. In addition, the presence of the Eratosthenes Continental Block (E.C.B.) and the Nile cone, have their own role in the development of the basins and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. With the help of seismic data, petroleum geology, the evolution of both basins and other geological structures of the region, we can compare the two basins. From the comparison, we concluded that Herodotus basin hosts at least the same amount of gas and oil as the Levantine basin.
2. The Mediterranean Ridge, the largest physiographic feature in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, is thought to be an accretionary complex, resulting from the convergence of the African and Eurasian plates. The presence of a salt layer in the upper deforming sequence (Late Miocene evaporites) and the unusually great thickness of the incoming sediment column differentiate the Mediterranean Ridge from most other accretionary complexes. Mud volcanoes are present in this region while various lithotypes from Carboniferous to Pleistocene can act as potential source, reservoir, and seal rocks resulting to the recognition of several potential hydrocarbon plays.
The Greek part of the Mediterranean Ridge suggests, in terms of its hydrocarbon potential, further frontier exploration. The geological similarities between its prolific portions, within the Cyprus and Egyptian Exclusive Economic Zones, indicate possible recoverable natural gas reserves in its Greek portion. Nevertheless, it lacks of systematic frontier exploration although direct petroleum indicators occur. Active mud volcanoes on the Mediterranean Ridge, still emitting concurrently gas and gas hydrates, have not been yet assessed even though are strongly related to hydrocarbon occurrence worldwide (Caspian Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Western African Basin, Trinidad-Tobago, the Nile Cone).
3. Hydrocarbon prospectivity of Western Greece and Hellenic Fold and Thrust Belt (FTB) has been of long academic and industrial interest. However, oil and gas discoveries are limited, especially compared to those in Italy and Albania. A general lack of drilling activity and strategic play oriented projects must be considered for that matter, along with the less favorable petroleum geology. However, most recent studies have presented significant results and thus provide an important basis for further investigations. Western Greece is situated at the eastern side of Apulian Platform and represents the southern continuation of Albania that exhibits similar geological evolution and hosts important hydrocarbon reserves. Furthermore, oil and gas are also produced from equivalent basins, situated at the western side of Apulian platform, and from the Apulian Platform. A significant number of oil seeps, recent studies and the aforementioned geotectonic relevance of productive areas have led to the identification of both Mesozoic oil-prone and Cenozoic gas-prone source rocks.
The Miocene-Pliocene source sedimentary successions in the Ionian Sea and the Hellenic FTB have been investigated in detail, to assess their hydrocarbon generation potential. Results will further help in exploring prospects of the Tertiary petroleum systems in Western Greece and more specifically in underexplored areas.