Overpressuring in the molasse deposits of the Adriatic Basin in Albania

The South Adriatic foreland basin in Albania contains up to 7 km of Neogene molasse strata affected by gentle NNW-trending monoclines and anticlines. Gas-prone terrigenous-derived organic matter occurs in low amounts (<0.4% TOC) throughout the Neogene sequence. Overpressures affect the strata up to Upper Miocene (Messinian) level, creating anomalous values of density and resistivity in mudstones and of porosity and sonic travel time. The overpressures are principally due to the high Neogene sedimentation rates. Further gas discoveries are expected, onshore and offshore, in both normally pressured and overpressured Neogene reservoirs.