Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Natural hydrocarbon accumulation related to formation overpressured interval; study case is the Saharan platform (Southern Tunisia)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Organic geochemistry analysis and formation fluid overpressure study have been performed on several oil well data located to the northern part of the Ghadames Basin (southern Tunisia Saharan platform). The main results of this work highlight the important role of overpressured interval in hydrocarbon accumulation. In fact, the analysis of the Paleozoic–Mesozoic petroleum systems in Southern Tunisia shows that the hydrocarbons generated by Ordovician and Silurian source rocks migrate upward following fault systems or through the major Hercynian unconformity to finally accumulates in structural or stratigraphic traps. These migration pathways provide favorable conditions to fill up the Silurian, Devonian, or Triassic reservoirs. The overpressured zone located above Triassic reservoir constitutes a continuous and efficient seal to hydrocarbon trap structures. So the overpressure plays the role of hydraulic seal advantaging oil and gas accumulation in the Ghadames Basin associated with the impermeable (evaporites) and then stopping any upward migration of natural hydrocarbon.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acheche MH, M'Rabet A, Ghariani H, Ouahchi A, Montgomery SL (2001) Ghadames Basin, Southern Tunisia: a reappraisal of Triassic reservoirs and future prospectivity. AAPG Bull 85:765–780

    Google Scholar 

  • Alaug AS (2009) Source rocks evaluation, hydrocarbon generation and palynofacies study of late cretaceous succession at 16/G-1 offshore well in Qamar Basin, Eastern Yemen. Arab J Geosci. doi:10.1007/s12517-010-0182-6

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali O (1975) El Agreb-El Gassi oil fields, Central Algerian Sahara. AAPG 59:1676–1684

    Google Scholar 

  • Audet DM (1995) Mathematical modelling of gravitational compaction and clay dehydration in thick sediment layers. Geophys J Int 122:283–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balducchi A, Pommier G (1970) Cambrian oil field of Hassi Messaoud, Algeria. AAPG Mem 14:477–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennacef AS, Beuf B, Biju-Duval O, De Charpal O, Gariel O, Rognon P (1971) Example of cratonic sedimentation: lower Paleozoic of Algerian Sahara. AAPG Bull 55:2225–2245

    Google Scholar 

  • Bethke CM (1988) Reply to discussion on “a numerical model of compaction-driven groundwater flow and heat transfer and its application to the paleohydrology of intracratonic sedimentary basins”. J Geophys Res 93:3500–3504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bigelow EL (1994) Global occurrences of abnormal pressures. In: Fertl WH, Chapman RE, and Hotz RF (eds.) Studies in abnormal pressures. Developments in petroleum science. Elsevier Science, the Netherlands 38:1–17

  • Bishop WF (1975) Geology of Tunisia and adjacent parts of Algeria and Libya. AAPG 59:413–450

    Google Scholar 

  • Bjørlykke K (1994) Fluid-flow processes and diagenesis in sedimentary basins. In: Parnell J (ed.) Geofluids: origin, migration and evolution of fluids in sedimentary basins: Geological Society (London) Special Publication 78:127–140

  • Bjørlykke K (1998) Clay mineral diagenesis in sedimentary basins: a key to the prediction of rock properties. Examples from the North Sea Basin. Clay Miner 33:15–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boote DRD, Clark-Lowes DD, Traut MW (1998) Palaeozoic petroleum systems of north Africa. In: MacGregor DS, Moody RTJ, and Clark-Lowes DD (eds.) Petroleumgeology of north Africa. Geological Society (London) Special Publication 132:7–68

  • Boudjema A (1987) Evolution structural du bassin pétrolier-Triassique-du Sahara Nord Oriental (Algérie): Thése l'Université de Paris-Sud, Centre d'Orsay: Paris, Editions Technip, 279 p

  • Byramjee R, Vasse L (1968) Geochemical interpretation of Libyan and North-Saharan crude analyses. Advances in Organic Geochemistry. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 319–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifford AC (1986) African oil—past, present, and future. AAPG Mem 40:339–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran MD, Petersen LE (2001) Hydrocarbon exploration in the Berkine Basin, Grand Erg Oriental, Algeria. In: Downey MJ, Threet JC, Morgan WA (eds.) Petroleum geology of the twenty-first century. AAPG Memoir 74:531–557

  • Correia M, Lacaze J, Poulet M, Roucache J (1968) Interpretation des variations de composition chimique presentees par le bruts des horizons productifs du gisement de Tiguentourine (Algerie). Advances in Organic Geochemistry. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 303–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniels RP, Emme JJ (1995) Petroleum system model, Eastern Algeria, from source rock to accumulation; when, where, and how: proceedings of the seminar on source rocks and hydrocarbon habitat in Tunisia. Entreprise Tunisienne Activites Petrolieres Mem 9:101–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Echikh K (1998) Geology and hydrocarbon occurrences in the Ghadames basin, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya. In: MacGregor DS, Moody RTJ, and Clark-Lowes DD (eds.) Petroleum geology of north Africa. Geological Society Special Publication 132:109–129

  • El-Rweimi WS (1991) Geology of the Aouinet Ouenine and Tahara formations, Al Hamadah Al Hamra' area, Ghadamis Basin. In: Salem MJ (ed.) The geology of Libya: symposium on the Geology of Libya 3:2185–2193

  • Espitalié J, Laporte JL, Madec M, Marquis F, Leplat P, Paulet J, Boutefeu F (1977) Methode rapide de caracterisation des roches meres, de leur potentiel petrolier et de leur degre d'evolution. Rev Inst Fr Pétrol 32:23–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Espitalié J, Deroo G, Marquis F (1985) La pyrolyse Rock-Eval et ses applications. Rev Inst Fr Petrole I 40:563–578, 755–784

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferjaoui M, Meskini A, Acheche MH (2001) Modelling of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion from Tanezzuft and Aouinet Ouinine formations in southern Tunisia–north Africa (extended abs.). Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists: Rock the Foundation, 18–22

  • Fertl WH (1976) Abnormal formation pressure, implication to exploration, drilling, and production of oil and gas reservoirs. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 382

    Google Scholar 

  • Fertl WH, Chapman RE, Hotz RF (1994) Studies in abnormal pressures. Dev Pet Sci 38:454

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon DS, Flemings PB (1998) Generation of overpressure and compaction-driven fluid flow in a Plio-Pleistocene growthfaulted basin, Eugene Island 330, offshore Louisiana. Basin Res 10:177–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanor JS, Sassen R (1990) Evidence for large-scale vertical and lateral migration of formation waters, dissolved salt, and crude oil in the Louisiana Gulf Coast. In: Schumacher D, Perkins BF (eds) Gulf Coast oils and gases. SEPM, Houston, pp 283–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt JM (1990) Generation and migration of petroleum from abnormally pressured fluid compartments. AAPG Bull l72:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Klemme HD (1958) Regional geology of the circum-Mediterranean region. AAPG Bull 42:477–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Klett TR (2000) Total petroleum Systems of the Trias/Ghadames Province, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya The-Tanezzuft-Oued Mya, Tanezzuft–Melrhir, and Tanezzuft Ghadames. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin, 2202 (A):15 p

  • Law BE, Spencer CW (1998) Abnormal pressure in hydrocarbon environments. In: Law BE, Ulmishek GF, and Slavin UI (eds.) Abnormal pressures in hydrocarbon environments: AAPG Memoir 70:1–11

  • Lee MK, Bethke CM (1994) Groundwater flow, late cementation, and petroleum accumulation in the Permian Lyons Sandstone, Denver Basin. AAPG Bull 78:217–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee Y, Deming D (2002) Overpressures in Anadarko Basin, southwestern Oklahoma: static or dynamic. AAPG Bull 86:145–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüning S, Craig J, Loydell DK, Storch P, Fitches B (2000) Lower Silurian “hot shales” in North Africa: regional distribution and depositional model. Earth Sci Rev 49:121–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo XR, Vasseur G (1992) Contributions of compaction and aquathermal pressuring to geopressure and the influence of environmental conditions. AAPG Bull 76:1550–1559

    Google Scholar 

  • Magloire PR (1970) Triassic gas field of Hassi er R'Mel, Algeria. AAPG Mem 14:489–501

    Google Scholar 

  • Malla MS, Khatir B, Yahi N (1998) Review of the structural evolution and hydrocarbon generation in Ghadames and Illizi basins: proceedings of the world petroleum congress. Actes Doc Congres Mondial Petrole 15:23–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Mouchet JP, Mitchell A (1989) Abnormal pressures while drilling. Manuels techniques elf aquitaine, Boussens

  • Peters KE (1986) Guidelines for evaluating petroleum source rock using programmed pyrolysis. AAPG Bull 70:318–329

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson JA (1985) Geology and petroleum resources of north-central and northeastern Africa. U S Geol Surv Open File Rep 85(709):54

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson JA, Wilson JL (1987) Petroleum stratigraphy of the Northwest African-Middle East Region. USGS Open File Rep 87:43

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudkiewicz JL, Robert D, Chaouche A (1997) Hydrocarbon migration through faults and successive reservoir infilling in the Ghadames basin, Algeria (abs.). AAPG Bull 81:1408

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer CW (1987) Hydrocarbon generation as a mechanism for overpressuring in rocky mountain region. AAPG Bull 71:368–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Swarbrick RE, Osborne MJ (1998) Mechanisms that generate abnormal pressures: an overview. AABG Mem 70:13–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Tissot B, Espitalie J, Deroo G, Tempere C, Jonathan D (1973) Origin and migration of hydrocarbons in the eastern Sahara (Algeria). AAPG Mem 35:314–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Tissot BP, Pelet R, Ungerer PH (1987) Thermal history of sedimentary basins, maturation indices, and kinetics of oil and gas generation. AAPG Bull 71:1445–1466

    Google Scholar 

  • Underdown R, Redfern J (2008) Petroleum generation and migration in the Ghadames Basin, North Africa: a two-dimensional basin-modeling study. AAPG Bull 92:53–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Weerd AA, Ware PLG (1994) A review of the East Algerian Sahara oil and gas province (Triassic, Ghadames and Illizi basins). First Break 12(7):363–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie XN, Bethke CM, Zheng SH (2001) Overpressure and petroleum generation and accumulation in the Dongying Depression of the Bohaiwan Basin, China. Geofluids 1:257–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yahi N, Schaefer RG, Littke R (2001) Petroleum generation and accumulation in the Berkine basin, Eastern Algeria. AAPG Bull 85(8):1439–1467

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan S, Xinya X, Feng H, Shengfei Q, Guoyou F (2002) Abnormal overpressure distribution and gas accumulation in foreland basins, Western China. Chin Sci Bull 47:71–77

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Research Unit: GEOGLOB (code: 03/UR/10-02), Science Faculty of Sfax and Hydroscience Appliqués (06/UR/10-03), Higher Institutes of Water Sciences and Techniques of Gabes and Laboratory Water, Energy and Environment (LR3E). Special thanks go to the National Company of Petroleum in Tunisia (ETAP) for the effective contribution in this work by geochemical analysis and data. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable recommendations, whose implementation greatly improved the initial manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory “Hydrosciences Appliquées” (06/UR/10-03), Higher Institutes of Water Sciences and Techniques, University of Gabès, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia

    Dhaou Akrout

  2. Laboratory of Eau, Energy & Environment (Lr3E), Higher Institutes of Water Sciences and Techniques, University of Gabès, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia

    Riadh Ahmadi

  3. Laboratory of Planetology and Geodynamics (UMR-CNRS 6112), Faculty of Sciences and Techniques/2, University of Nantes, chemin de la Houssinière, BP 92208/44322, Nantes cédex 3, France

    Eric Mercier

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Sciences Faculty, University of Sfax, GEOGLOB: 03/UR/10-02, P.O. Box 802, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia

    Mabrouk Montacer

Authors
  1. Dhaou Akrout
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Riadh Ahmadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eric Mercier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mabrouk Montacer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dhaou Akrout.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Akrout, D., Ahmadi, R., Mercier, E. et al. Natural hydrocarbon accumulation related to formation overpressured interval; study case is the Saharan platform (Southern Tunisia). Arab J Geosci 5, 849–857 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0287-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0287-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation