Abstract: A New Approach of Petroleum Exploration of Carpathian Foredeep from Romania

DICEA, OPREA, VICTOR ROSU, and GHEORGHE MITREA

The most and the biggest oil fields from Romanian Carpathian belt were discovered in the foredeep area. The famous Ploiesti producing area is a part of the Eastern Carpathian Foredeep. The stratigraphic and tectonic configuration of the foredeep along the Carpathian belt has influenced very much the distribution of oil and gas fields. The presence of Paleogene and Lower Neogene formations including source rocks below the inner flank of the foredeep during the Upper Neogene (Pliocene) evolution of the Carpathian bend has assured the most favorable conditions for generation, migration and entrapment of hydrocarbons. Between the Suceava and Slanic valleys only the foreland supports the inner zone of the foredeep. As a consequence, only gas fields of biogenic and diagenetic origin are present.

South of Slanic Valley up to Dambovita Valley the most prolific producing zone is delimited. Westward from the Dambovita Valley to Jiu Valley in Getic Depression (South Carpathian Foredeep) the inner zone is supported by Paleogene and Lower Neogene molasse with source rocks, and external flank lie down on the platform support. In the inner zone, the oil fields are present and in outer flank only biogenic gas fields are present.

Exploration strategy has to be supported by this reality.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria