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The Hydrocarbon
Potential of
Schmitz, Ulrich1, Helena Dobrova2, Avraam Zelilidis3 (1) LO&G Consultants, Essen, Germany (2) IHS Energy, Geneva, Switzerland (3) University of Patras, Rio, Greece
On- and Offshore Western Greece are, in terms of geological
setting, the southern extension of the prolific Albanian oil and gas
provinces, parts of which are suggested being the mirror image of Italy’s South
Appenine hydrocarbon province. Yet,
The purpose of this study is, upon critically reviewing past
exploration activities, (i) to identify the reasons
for the lack of E&P success in the past, and (ii) to analyze whether past
failures allow for a substantial remaining hydrocarbon potential.
Revisiting the hydrocarbon habitat indicates the existence of
two main hydrocarbon systems: (1) The Late Mesozoic Hydrocarbon System, with
Late Jurassic, Early and Late Cretaceous source rocks, whereby obviously traps
are charged from more than one of those source rocks. Carbonate and clastic reservoirs are of Cretaceous and post-Cretaceous
age.
(2) The Mid to Late Tertiary Hydrocarbon System, with biogenic
gas generating source rocks, charging clastic
reservoirs of the same age. The resulting main plays, related both with
structural and stratigraphic traps, range from
Cretaceous to Neogene age.
Analysis of past E&P activities indicates that the problems
of the plays, such as limited seal extent, seal breaching, localized presence
of viable reservoirs and charge problems, have not
fully been honored by the drilling of prospects. Also, simply the offshore
drilling density is insufficient to evaluate the full potential.
Taking into
account the past results and the reviewed play problems and honoring trap sizes
it is suggested that hydrocarbon volumes to be expected will be moderate,
except for some higher risk offshore opportunities.