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Triassic evaporites and the structural architecture of the External Hellenides and Albanides (SE Europe): controls on the petroleum and geoenergy systems of Greece and Albania

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Abstract

A combination of well data, seismic information on thrusting and tectonic shortening, plus analyses of the nature and depth of the Mesozoic units related to main detachment horizons (Triassic evaporites, flysch), are used to review, and further update the complex structural styles of the External Hellenides and Albanides Orogenic Belts, SE Europe. In the study area, the late Alpine orogenic evolution resulted in a structural architecture characterised by the successive westward thrusting of tectonic nappes (Gavrovo/Kruja, Ionian), with an imbricate tectonic style prevailing in all external zones. In the internal and central Ionian zone, imbricate thrusts and duplex structures are recorded, especially where about 24 km of stacked Mesozoic–Tertiary successions have been formed in Albania. Triassic evaporites, up to 3.5 km thick, acted as a detachment horizon for the internal deformation of the Ionian and Pre-Apulia zones (1.7–1.8 km thick in Greece), whereas the flysch unit of Upper Eocene–Oligocene (External Hellenides) and Oligocene–Aquitanian (Albanides) contributed to the deformation of the Ionian zone. In the Ionian zone, Triassic evaporites are laterally continuous and act as an effective seal unit when thrusted above Mesozoic carbonate/Tertiary units. Most of the oil and gas fields, oil shows and surface seeps have been developed in association with the relative more complex structure styles in the internal and the central Ionian zone of Albania and Greece. The Triassic evaporite detachment is detected at depths of 8–22 km in Albania, and about 5 km to 12–13 km in Greece. Thin and probably combination of thin- and thick-skinned deformation (SW Greece) of the Meso-Cenozoic succession above the Triassic evaporite and Permian sequences better depicts the complex structural architecture of the External Hellenides and Albanides, later affected by strike-slip tectonics and extensional deformation active since the Early Pliocene times. The main source rock levels, Lower Cretaceous shale/carbonate, Toarcian Posidonia and Triassic shales, are common in the Albanides and the Hellenides forelands. The thickness and Total Organic Carbon of these levels significantly increase in Albania, whereas trapping mechanism is almost the same and the Triassic evaporites play a significant role in both forelands. The hydrocarbon migration primarily followed developed thrust faults and important halokinesis, to charge fractured Cretaceous–Eocene carbonate reservoirs in the overthrust unit (Ionian zone), likely beneath the thrusted anticlinal belts. These sub-thrust structural models are related to the evaporites. Sub-thrust plays, referred to the autochthonous units (Apulia, Pre-Apulia/Paxos, Sazani zones), may also present reservoir potential in Albania and Western Greece. Upper Miocene and Pliocene deposits (sands) record reservoir potential in stratigraphic traps and good caprock characteristics in the Peri-Adriatic depression (Albania), whereas Messinian evaporites and clays may document seal potential for Upper Miocene sands in the southern areas of the Ionian Sea (Kyparissiakos Gulf, SW Kythira).

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source rocks outcropping in the Ionian Zone in Western Greece and Southwestern Albania, based on previous information (IGRS-IFP 1966; 1:500.000, IGME, 1983, Geological map of Hellas after Bornovas and Rondogianni-Tsiambaou 1983) and field work implemented in the context of the present study

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Acknowledgements

The Laboratory of Applied Geology and Hydrogeology of the Hellenic Mediterranean University has supported this work. The authors are grateful to the editor, Professor Roure and an anonymous reviewer for their critical review and constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hellenic Petroleum (Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons Division), Messinias 10, Galatsi, 11147, Athens, Greece

    Evangelos Kamberis

  2. Laboratory of Applied Geology and Hydrogeology, Department of Agriculture, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Stavromenos, 71004, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Evangelos Kamberis, Eleni Kokinou, Florika Koci & Katerina Lioni

  3. 3D Seismic Laboratory, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building-Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK

    Tiago M. Alves

  4. Institute of Geological Research, Tirana, Albania

    Telo Velaj

Authors
  1. Evangelos Kamberis
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  2. Eleni Kokinou
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  3. Florika Koci
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  4. Katerina Lioni
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  5. Tiago M. Alves
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  6. Telo Velaj
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Correspondence to Eleni Kokinou.

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Kamberis, E., Kokinou, E., Koci, F. et al. Triassic evaporites and the structural architecture of the External Hellenides and Albanides (SE Europe): controls on the petroleum and geoenergy systems of Greece and Albania. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 111, 789–821 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-021-02151-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-021-02151-4

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