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Structural Study and Impact on the Hydrocarbons Exploration, Chott El Jerid Area – Central Tunisia
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 4th EAGE North African/Mediterranean Petroleum and Geosciences Conference and Exhibition Tunis 2009, Mar 2009, cp-120-00020
- ISBN: 978-90-73781-99-3
Abstract
The careful study of the seismic data shows at the edge of Chott Jerid a flexural fault, dipping to the north, with a general E-W orientation associated with a high amplitude tectonic inversion. This inversion implies the presence of a graben situated between this E-W normal fault and a second major fault, dipping to the south. An N-S extension during Permian and Triassic times has most probably initiated the opening of the graben. Later, during Upper Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, subsidence was very active. The NW-SE compressions, from uppermost Cretaceous to Upper Eocene initially then during Late Miocene, induced the tectonic inversion. Later, an intensive compression phase affected the Mio-Pliocene series. The E-W faults played like reverse faults accompanied by important folding. This is the N-S Villafranchian (Quaternary) compression. Consequently, the northern area affected by Quaternary compression is now considered as of secondary importance to hydrocarbon exploration. Furthermore, the location of the structures identified on both sides of the southern flexural fault is critical for the structures feeding and for the enhancement of the petrophysical properties of the targeted reservoirs.