Regional seismic study of the southern Apennine oil discoveries

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · AAPG Bulletin

OSTI ID:127403

Finetti, I R ^[1]; Del Ben, A ^[2]

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1. Universita di Trieste (Italy)
2. GEXON International, Trieste (Italy)

Based on interpretation of conspicuous regional detailed seismic data sets collected in several years of scientific and professional geophysical exploration activity, the Authors outline basinal conditions of the source rocks deposition during Mesozoic and successive Cenozoic thrusting deformation of the oil basin of Southern Apennine, Italy. Mainly due to its tectonic complexity, only in the last years in the Southern Apennine have been discovered promising oil fields (i.e. Mt. Alpi, Tempa Rossa and Costa Molina). This thrust belt area is now actively explored with a relevant effort to understand the involved detailed tectonic setting and connected geodynamic process. Also basin evolution and source rock distribution are key aspects for success in the exploration activity. The deformation processes of the Apennine Chain are so severe and complex that it is objectively difficult to understand the occurred evolution only investigating local areas, even if in advanced manner. Indeed, for a correct understanding it is indispensable to regionally extend the tectonic inversion firstly to those areas which were involved in Mesozoic by those extensional processes that control the source rocks deposition of the discovered oil fields. This investigation may also clear out the potential areal extent of the discovered producing zone. Successively, it is necessary to reconstruct the young compressive complex tectonization of the involved thrust belt. The regional seismic exploration shows very clearly that large part of the Ionian Sea represents the southeastward not tectonized continuation of the source rocks area of the oil discoveries, locally known with the name of {open_quotes}Lagonegrese{close_quotes}. Seismic information indicates also that the source rocks deposition is associated with a rift activity occurred in Triassic and pursued with a second phase in Middle Jurassic with the formation of a large graben separating the Apulian Platform from the African Plate.

• OSTI ID: 127403
• Report Number(s): CONF-950995--
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin, Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 79; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
ITALY
OIL FIELDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SOURCE ROCKS
TECTONICS