Abstract: Contribution of Structural Geology to Assessment of Hydrocarbon Play in Casablanca Offshore, Morocco

Abdallah Aitsalem

The Casablanca offshore area, is located in the northwestern part of the Meseta structural domain of Morocco. The Moroccan meseta consists of two major zones, separated by a shearing and overthrusting zone.

The eastern zone, contains outcropping massifs that are characterized by hercynian granitic intrusives and Cambrian to Carboniferous rocks that were strongly folded and faulted during the Hercynian orogeny. The western zone is relatively stable, and it was gently folded and faulted during the Hercynian event.

The Casablanca offshore area is presently covered by good quality and recently acquired, seismic, gravity and magnetic data.

The previous petroleum exploration studies carried out in Casablanca offshore, worked out different structural models based on seismic interpretation, but these models do not agree exactly neither with the gravity and magnetic data nor with the regional structural framework.

However, recent study of several structural features, outcropping immediately to the East of the study area, resulted in the elaboration of new structural transects that were used as model for the achievement of new and more accurate seismic interpretation.

The Palaeozoic rocks were also studied for their hydrocarbon potential as source rocks, reservoir rocks and seals.

These new concepts, summarize the great petroleum exploration interest in this area and may provide giant discoveries of oil and/or gas fields.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90956©1995 AAPG International Convention and Exposition Meeting, Nice, France