Hungarian Exploration Potential

KOKAI, J., New Ventures, Budapest, Hungary

In the Pannonian basin from the Pliocene Formation, commercial oil/gas production was started in 1937 by the Standard Oil of New Jersey and the National Oil Company joint venture firm (MADRT). Until now accumulated oil production was 70 million tons; for natural gas, 140 billion m. About 7000 exploration, development, and production wells were drilled and 90,000 km of seismic lines were acquired.

From some aspects, the Hungarian part of the Pannonian basin is a highly explored, mature area; from other aspects, it is far from that. In light of the most advanced seismic acquisitions and seismic stratigraphy, evaluation of the huge volume of organic matter-rich deltaic type Pliocene and Miocene deposits offer some new exploration possibilities.

The Pannonian basin is the result of crustal extension culminating in the middle-Miocene, locally continuing with very reduced intensity until recent times. Some very deep (up to 7000 m), medium (2000-3500 m), and shallow (1000-2000 m) subbasins were formed, where a huge volume of organic matter-rich sediments has been deposited. The Paleogene and Miocene subbasins are related to wrench-fault movements, while the Pliocene subbasins are real postrift basins.

There are different types of structures/forms for the hydrocarbon accumulations: classical anticlines, deposited arches above the Mesozoic-Paleozoic basement highs, overthrust zones, and flower structures. New exploration targets are expected in the thick Mesozoic dolomite and limestone formations, too.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91004 © 1991 AAPG Annual Convention Dallas, Texas, April 7-10, 1991 (2009)