--> ABSTRACT: Tectonics of the Lower Paleozoic in the Lublin - Podlasie Basin at the Western Margin of the East European Craton, SE Poland - Results of Seismic Data Interpretation

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Tectonics of the Lower Paleozoic in the Lublin - Podlasie Basin at the Western Margin of the East European Craton, SE Poland - Results of Seismic Data Interpretation

Wróbel, Grzegorz 1; Walker, Peter 2; Tomaszczyk, Maciej 1; Krzywiec, Piotr 1; Poprawa, Pawel 1
(1) Polish Geological Institute, Warsaw, Poland. (2) ExxonMobil International Limited, Leatherhead, United Kingdom.

The western margin of the East European Craton (EEC) in northern and south-eastern Poland has recently became one of the most interesting areas for shale gas exploration in Europe. The eastern part of the Lublin - Podlasie Basin (LPB) located on the uplifted slope of the EEC was studied using relatively dense grid of seismic profiles calibrated by deep wells. The main potential reservoir formations in the LPB are the Upper Ordovician and the Lower Silurian graptolitic shale. Results of seismic data interpretation revealed distinct differences in structural development between the Podlasie Basin (PB) and the Lublin Basin (LB). The PB is characterized by regional, gently dip of the Lower Paleozoic sedimentary cover toward south-west. Normal fault zones prevailed here without any significant evidences of the Late Paleozoic or Mesozoic reactivation. In contrast, structural development of the LB was more complex as a result of the Late Famennian to the Early Visean (the Bretonian phase of the Variscian orogeny) tectonics. Numerous NE-SW and NW-SE reverse fault zones were identified in this part of the basin, characterized by significant strike-slip component. The main fault zones in the LB are deeply-rooted in the Precambrian basement and were active during the Latest Devonian to the Early Carboniferous. Some of these fault zones have been also reactivated in the Late Carboniferous during the final stages of the Variscian orogeny. Location and history of deformation of identified fault zones directly influenced shale gas potential of both basins, creating internally relatively undeformed crustal blocks with higher potential, bordered by deformation zones of low potential.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90135©2011 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, 23-26 October 2011.