Petroleum geology of the major producing basins of Algeria
The South Atlas flexure divides Algeria into two contrasting geologic provinces: (1) the Saharan Atlas and offshore region in the north, both of which are part of the Mediterranean basin, and (2) the Saharan platform on the south, part of the North African craton. The limits of the various sedimentary basins on the Saharan platform are tied to late Paleozoic (Hercynian) crustal reactivation. Comparable structurally controlled basins in northern Algeria are the products of Mesozoic-Recent tectonism. The spatial and temporal distribution of hydrocarbons in the Algerian Sahara can be understood in terms of the geologic evolution of the region. Analysis of areas of proven hydrocarbon reserves permits the following generalizations. (1) There is a concentration of oil and gas fields northeast of a northwest-southeast-trending line connecting Hassi R'Mel with In Amenas. Production is also established in the Sbaa basin and in northern Algeria, where recent discoveries have been made in, respectively, upper Paleozoic and Mesozoic reservoirs. (2) Hydrocarbon are present throughout the entire sedimentary column, but major production currently is restricted to the lower Paleozoic (Cambrian-Ordovician and Lower Devonian) and Triassic reservoirs.
- Research Organization:
- Sonatrach Exploration, Hussein-Day, Alger (Algeria)
- OSTI ID:
- 5750303
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8809346-
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bull.; (United States), Vol. 72:8; Conference: Mediterranean Basins conference and exhibition, Nice, France, 25-28 Sep 1988
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
ALGERIA
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
CAMBRIAN PERIOD
DEVONIAN PERIOD
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
OFFSHORE SITES
ORDOVICIAN PERIOD
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
TRIASSIC PERIOD
AFRICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
PALEOZOIC ERA
RESOURCES
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration