Abstract: Petroleum Geology of the Gulf of Lion (Mediterranean Offshore - France)

Rolland Vially, Jean-Jacques Biteau, Alain Le Marrec

The onshore sedimentary basins of Camargue and the northern edge of the Gulf of Lion have been explored since the middle of the last century. The results of this petroleum exploration were poor despite two small oil discoveries: the oligocene onshore Gallician field and the triassic onshore Gabian field (respectively 7000 tons and 23000 tons of oil production).

Eleven wells were drilled offshore (from 1968 to 1985), all located on highs of the pretertiary substratum. Few oil and gas shows were proven by only three of these wells.

The seismic data base has been fully reinterpreted. The mapping of the pretertiary substratum shows wide unexplored grabens in the Gulf of Lion. Some Oligocene prospects have been evidenced which are either stratigraphic traps or faulted blocks associated to salt seals.

A new set of geochemical analysis of the oligocene source rock has been performed as well as systematic generation and migration models (1D and 2D models) leading to the definition of an effective oil kitchen of an oligocene lacustrine source rock (type 1).

This reinterpretation led Elf Aquitaine to apply for a new permit in the area.

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