Evolution and Petroleum Potential of Western Greece

Abstract

siliceous facies are widely associated with organic-carbon rich deposits. Pelagic Late Jurassic units rich in marine organic matter constitute important hydrocarbon source rocks in the pelagicneritic Pre-Apulian zone succession. Oil-oil correlation with an Apulian zone oil sample (from Aquila, Italy) indicates similar geochemical characteristics. Thus, the significant volumes of oil generated by the rich and mature source rock intervals identified in the Pre-Apulian zone are likewise expected to be of good quality. In the Ionian zone, four organic-carbon rich intervals with hydrocarbon potential have been recorded.The tectonic history of the Pre-Apulian zone, which is characterised by the presence of large anticlines, is favourable for the formation of structural traps. By contrast, locations suitable for the entrapment of hydrocarbons in the Ionian zone are restricted to small anticlines within largerscale synclinal structures. Hydrocarbon traps may potentially be present at the tectonic contacts between the Ionian zone and both the Pre-Apulian and Gavrovo zones. Major traps may also have been formed between the pre-evaporitic basement and the evaporite-dominated units at the base of both the Pre-Apulian and the Ionian zone successions. The degree of participation of the subevaporitic basement in the deformation of the Pre-Apulian and Ionian sedimentary cover will determine the location and size of these traps.Various scenarios regarding the deformation of the sub-evaporitic succession are examined in order to determine the hydrocarbon trapping possibilities of each model. The hypothesis of continental subduction (Early

Investigating hypoxia in aquatic environments: diverse approaches to addressing a complex phenomenon

“…The Ionian coast represents the main petroliferous area in Greece. Active tectonics and salt diapirism induce important onshore and offshore gas and oil seepages (Papatheodorou et al, 1993;Hasiotis et al, 2002;Etiope et al, 2006;Karakitsios and Rigakis, 2007;Kamberis et al, 2000). We hypothesize that gas seepage represents a geogenic driver for hypoxia events.…”

Maturity of dispersed organic matter in bituminous formations of the Ionian Zone (Epirus region, NW Greece)

“…IGRS-IFP, 1966;BP, 1971;Jenkins, 1972;Karakitsios and Rigakis, 1996;2007;Rigakis and Karakitsios, 1998;Avramidis and Zelilidis, 2001;Avramidis et al, 2002;Karakitsios, 2003;Zelilidis et al, 2003;Kokkinou et al, 2005).…”

Preliminary Study on the Slump Structures of the Early Oligocene Sediments of the Pre-Apulian Zone (Antipaxos Island, North-Western Greece)

“…Structures developed in the Pre-Apulian zone (mainly on the islands of Cephallonia and Zakynthos) may be accommodated within a simple model of continued foreland-directed migration of Hellenide (Alpine) thrusting during the Late Neogene and Quaternary (Accordi et al 1998, Karakitsios & Rigakis 2007. Initial activity on the Ionian thrust can be dated as Early Pliocene, and the main thrusts (and some of the backthrusts) observed in the Pre-Apulian zone (e.g.…”