2-D Basin modeling study of petroleum systems in the Levantine Basin, Eastern Mediterranean

The Levantine Basin has proven hydrocarbons, yet it is still a frontier basin. There have been significant oil and gas discoveries offshore the Nile Delta, e.g. several Pliocene gas plays and the Mango Well with ca. 10,000 bbls/day in Lower Cretaceous rocks and recently, Noble Energy discovered two gas “giants” (> 5 TCF and one estimated at 16 TFC) one of which is in a pre-Messinian strata in ca. 1,700 m (5,577 ft) water depth. Regional two-dimensional (2-D) petroleum system modeling suggests that source rocks generated hydrocarbons throughout the basin. This paper provides insight into the petroleum systems of the Levantine Basin using well and 2-D seismic data interpretations and PetroMod2D. Tectonics followed the general progression of the opening and closing of the Neo-Tethys Ocean: rift-extension, passive margin, and compression. The stratal package is up to 15 km thick and consists of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate-evaporite facies. Five potential source rock intervals (Triassic – Paleocene) are suggested. Kerogen in the older source rocks is fully transformed, whereas the younger source rocks are less mature. There are several potential reservoir and seal rocks. The model suggests that oil and gas accumulations exist in both structural and stratigraphic traps throughout the basin.