Deep Offshore Exploration In The Southern Adriatic Sea

Paulucci, G.; Novelli, L.; Bongiorni, D.; Cesaroni, R.

doi:10.4043/5730-ms

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Hydrocarbon exploration projects in Albania and Greece, and accompanying deep crustal studies, have acquired seismic reflection data, gravity and magnetic maps, and limited vertical electrical soundings. Seismic reflection data interpreted in both the External Albanides (Papa and Kondo, 1968;Finetti and Morelli, 1972;Paulucci et al, 1988;…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…11). It is important to stress that oil and gas shows offshore Italy, where Triassic evaporites contain source intervals consisting of bituminous dolomites with intercalations of gypsum and clays (Burano Formation), extend eastwards into Albania and Greece (Paulucci et al, 1988). In addition, Upper Triassic source rocks charged the Oligocene flysch sediments drilled in the Drashovice oil field of Albania.…”

Section: The Carbonate Series Of the Gavrovo Zone Contains Organic-ri...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Triassic evaporites and the structural architecture of the External Hellenides and Albanides (SE Europe): controls on the petroleum and geoenergy systems of Greece and Albania

Kamberis

Kokinou

Koci

et al. 2022

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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A combination of well data, seismic information on thrusting and tectonic shortening, plus analyses of the nature and depth of the Mesozoic units related to main detachment horizons (Triassic evaporites, flysch), are used to review and further update the complex structural styles of the External Hellenides and Albanides Orogenic Belts, SE Europe. In the study area, the late Alpine orogenic evolution resulted in a structural architecture characterised by the successive thrusting westwards of tectonic nappes (Gavrovo/Kruja, Ionian), with an imbricate tectonic style prevailing in all external zones. In the internal and central Ionian zone, imbricate and duplex structures are recorded, especially where about 24 km of stacked Mesozoic-Tertiary successions have been formed in Albania. Triassic evaporites, up to 3.5 km thick, acted as a detachment horizon for the internal deformation of the Ionian and Pre-Apulia zones (1.7-1.8 km thick in Greece), whereas the Miocene flysch unit contributed to the deformation of the Ionian zone. In the Ionian zone, Triassic evaporites are laterally continuous and act as an effective seal unit when thrusted above Mesozoic carbonate/Tertiary units. Most of the oil and gas fields, oil shows and surface seeps have been developed in association with the relative more complex structure styles in the internal and the central Ionian zone of Albania and Greece.The Triassic evaporite detachment is detected at depths of 8 km to 22 km in Albania, and about 5 km to 12-13 km in Greece). The above mentioned structure styles were later affected by strike-slip tectonics and extensional deformation active since the Early Pliocene times. We propose that hydrocarbon migration primarily followed developed thrust faults and important halokinesis, to charge fractured Cretaceous-Eocene carbonate reservoirs in the overthrust unit (Ionian zone), likely beneath the thrusted anticlinal belts. These sub-thrust structural models are related to the evaporites. Sub-thrust plays, referred to the autochthonous units (Apulia, Pre-Apulia/Paxos, Sazani zones), may also present reservoir potential in Albania and Western Greece. Upper Miocene and Pliocene deposits (sands) record reservoir potential in stratigraphic traps and good caprock characteristics in the Peri-Adriatic depression (Albania), whereas Messinian evaporites and clays may document seal potential for Upper Miocene sands and in the southern areas of the Ionian Sea (Kyparissiakos gulf, SW Kythira).

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Carbonate Series Of the Gavrovo Zone Contains Organic-ri...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Triassic evaporites and the structural architecture of the External Hellenides and Albanides (SE Europe): controls on the petroleum and geoenergy systems of Greece and Albania

Kamberis

Kokinou

Koci

et al. 2022

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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“…The main source rock of the Adriatic oils is interpreted to be Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic sulphur-rich carbonates (Novelli and Demaison, 1988;Mattavelli and Novelli, 1990). Biomarker and isotope data (Paulucci et al, 1988) correlated Aquila and Rovesti oils with an Upper Triassic Burano Formation source rock sample derived (according to the Eni geochemical database) from the Trevi 1 well located in the central Apennines.…”

Section: Emmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Oil and Gas in the Adriatic Foreland, Italy

Cazzini

Zotto

Fantoni

et al. 2015

Journal of Petroleum Geology

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The offshore Adriatic Basin holds more than 50% of Italian gas reserves together with significant volumes of oil. A number of large and giant‐size biogenic gasfields and medium to large oilfields have been discovered here during the past 60 years. Two petroleum systems have been identified: a Plio‐Pleistocene biogenic gas system, and an Upper Triassic – Lower Jurassic oil system. These systems are described in this paper within a regional geological framework, with particular focus on petroleum system elements (source, reservoir, seal, trap and charge). The biogenic gas play was for several decades the prime focus of Italian E&P efforts throughout the Adriatic area but is now mature, and significant additional discoveries are unlikely to be made without a breakthrough in DHI (direct hydrocarbon indicator) technology. The Mesozoic oil play is as yet unproved in the northern Adriatic area, where large anticlinal structures at depths of up to ca. 6000 m are available for exploration and constitute high‐risk – high‐reward targets. By contrast, the play is proved in the Central and Southern Adriatic where several oilfields are currently producing. Exploration targets still exist here and may generate medium‐sized discoveries although the prevalent heavy‐oil phase may jeopardize their economic value.

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“…For example, API gravities within the offshore Aquila #I well (Fig. 1) range from 22" to 36" (Paulucci et al, 1988), with the lowest API gravities located near the base of the oil column. These differences in oil character have historically been explained through a number of processes including early generation, alteration and biodegradation, as well as by differences in the nature of the precursor material.…”

Section: Oil Characteristics and Source Rock Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Geochemical Review of Carbonate Source Rocks in Italy

Katz¹,

Dittmar²,

Ehret³

2000

Journal of Petroleum Geology

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Field sampling of potential source rock units in Italy, and detailed geochemical characterization of Italian petroleum (surface seeps and reservoired oils), have provided insights into the origins of the resource base. Organic‐rich, oil‐prone intervals have been identified in Middle to Upper Triassic, lower Toarcian, Lower Cretaceous, Upper Cretaceous and Oligo‐Miocene strata. The hydrocarbon generation potential of these intervals can be signipcant. For example, the weighted mean generation potential of the Upper Triassic in southern Italy is ˜47 mg HC/g rock, with the net source rock representing about 20% of the exposed stratigraphic sequence. Comparable richnesses exist in the other intervals noted above, although the Toarcian and Late Cretaceous intervals, including those associated with the “Bonarelli Event” (a brief period straddling the Cenomanian‐Turonian which is thought to represent an oceanic anoxic event) appear to be much more volumetrically restricted. There is sedimentological evidence that these organic‐rich intervals were deposited in both shallow‐water intraplatformal settings, and in deep‐water interplatformal basinal settings. The stacking of sequences as a result of evolving platform bathymetly and changes in sea level enhanced the volumetric importance of intraplatformal source rocks, and may explain some of the minor geochemical differences observed among the region s oils. There is a sharp contrast in the stable isotope composition of the organic matter contained in the different source intervals. The Triassic and Toarcian organic matter is isotopically light (δ13Cbitumen lighter than ‐26%o), while Cretaceous and Oligo‐Miocene OM is isotopically heavy (δ13Cbitumen heavier than ‐26%o). Although the oils share characteristics associated with carbonate source rock systems, two distinct populations exist. These are an isotopically light population (δ13 Coil, lighter than ‐26%o, typically lighter than ‐27. 5%o), which includes the oils at Rospo Mare, Malossa and the degraded oil at Maiella; and an isotopically heavier (δ13 Coil heavier than ‐26%o) population, including the oils at Monte Alpi, Bagnolo and at the Tramutola seep. The stable carbon isotopic compositions provide the strongest evidence for stratigraphic affinity. Biomarker data permits further refinement of these two “mega‐families”.

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Deep Offshore Exploration In The Southern Adriatic Sea

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Triassic evaporites and the structural architecture of the External Hellenides and Albanides (SE Europe): controls on the petroleum and geoenergy systems of Greece and Albania

Triassic evaporites and the structural architecture of the External Hellenides and Albanides (SE Europe): controls on the petroleum and geoenergy systems of Greece and Albania

Oil and Gas in the Adriatic Foreland, Italy

A Geochemical Review of Carbonate Source Rocks in Italy

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