--> Abstract: Exploration Potential of Central Europe, by W. C. Krueger; #91004 (1991)

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Exploration Potential of Central Europe

KRUEGER, W. C., Amoco Production Company, Houston, TX

Because of governmental changes an entire region of Central Europe has received exploration scrutiny not possible during the past 40-50 years. This entire area--Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Albania, Poland, and East Germany--is tectonically related. Yugoslavia, although not under the same restrictions, is also considered in the same tectonic setting. Therefore, these countries can be expected to reflect some of the same stratigraphy, source rock, reservoir, trap and field types, and production history. Much of the region can be considered frontier while other parts mature. Production from all is about 55,000 T/D, 380,000 BO/D and 63.1 Bm(3)/yr, 2203 Bft(3)/yr.

By far major oil production of 29,000 T/D, 200,000 BO/D, has its origin in the Carpathians and related foredeep trend. The Pannonian basin contributes about 16,000 T/D, 115,000 BO/D, while the Moesian platform, European platform, Vienna basin, Durres basin, Thuringa basin, North German Lowland, and the Black Sea make up about 9000 T/D, 60,000 BO/D. Major gas production originates also from the Carpathian trend and the Pannonian basin, 32.7 Bm(3)/yr, 1140 Bft(3)/yr. The Transylvanian basin and Permian Shelf and other minor basins make up an almost equal portion--30.4 Bm(3), 1063 Bft(3)--of the gas production.

Major source rocks have been identified as Tertiary-Oligocene, Miocene-Mesozoic, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. Carboniferous coal sequences are considered source for the Permian.

The East European platform and Tethyian plates are the foundation of the Central Europe states. Plate collisions during the late Mesozoic and into the Tertiary affected the Carpathian, Balkans, Dinarides, and Helenide Mountain chains. Mesozoic and Tertiary foredeep deposits have been proven productive from normal-, thrust-, and wrench-faulted anticlinal structures. Paleozoic, Mesozoic erosional remnants, and Tertiary lacustrine and deltaic stratigraphic deposits are the major productive reservoirs in the Pannonian basin. Permian shelf and reefal deposits are found in such areas as the Permian Shelf in Eastern Germany and Poland. Reefal plays may be found in Bulgaria and Romania offshore.

The trite but true statement of hard currency assistance, new technology, new concepts, and deeper drilling apply to a greater or lesser degree within each country. In addition, much of the area is still underexplored with vast portions lacking adequate study, i.e., Durres basin, Dinarides, Moesian platform, Polish trough, Offshore Black Sea, and Central Hungary. Joint venture with western companies has already begun or is in the development stage. This procedure is perceived as a rapid movement toward a better economic base; and with deficits in oil and gas, a positive movement toward self-sufficiency.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91004 © 1991 AAPG Annual Convention Dallas, Texas, April 7-10, 1991 (2009)