Abstract: Overthrusting and Petroleum Potential of the Southwestern Part of the Albanides

Ajet Mazar Mezini, Yzedin Sefer Sadikaj

The Albanides are the southern Continuation of the Dinarides fold belt and represent a sector of Alpine thrust belt. Onshore and offshore seismic and geologic data indicate that thrusting is well developed in the Ionian basin in the southwestern part of the Albanides. Overthrusting is due to the collision of the north African plate with the East European plate. Cross section balancing indicates considerable deformation and displacement of rock units in the Ionian basin, as a result of strike-slip faults, normal faulting, overthrusts and back-thrusts. Most of the deformation and displacement occurred between the western flank of the structures and belts.

The petroleum potential of Mesozoic carbonate deposits in the Ionian basin is closely connected to the occurrence of organic-rich source rock of Triassic-Jurassic age. Oil generation initiated in Early Miocene and coincides with the first stage of structure formation. The late tectonic and folding phases of Triassic-Jurassic age made possible the oil migration out of old traps and accumulation in newly formed traps.

New fields were formed in sandstones which are directly in contact with the carbonates. The main trapping is structural. Other traps are of stratigraphic or/and combination. The thrust belt of western Albanides has favourable geological conditions for oil generation and accumulation. This area has the best petroleum potential in Albania.

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