Impact of Transfer Faults on Basin Evolution, Sedimentation and Hydrocarbon Accumulation

By

 Abraham Zelilidis¹, A. Barkooky¹, M. Darwish¹, N. Tewfik¹, J. Vakalas¹

(1) University of Patras, Patras, Greece

 The geometry of a basin could change in depth and width from a uniform to non-uniform configuration due to the presence of transfer faults, with intensive impact on depositional environments along the basin axis. The basin is being shallower and narrower close to the transfer faults. Relative to the above depositional environments could gradually pass laterally from terrestrial to shallow and deep-water environments along the basin axis. The synchronous activity of synthetic and antithetic faults could create either intrabasinal highs or highs at the basin margins. Transfer faults that cross-cut intrabasinal highs produce pathways for the sediment distribution at both sides of the intrabasinal highs. Submarine fans sandstone lobes might accumulate at one side of the high and fine-grained deposits on the other side. The above basin evolution, with the presence of intrabasinal highs and pathways, could influence the development of hydrocarbon traps and reservoirs. Distributary channels that discharge into the basin are perpendicular to its axis and shift axially at the basin floor. Examples are referred to from the Gulf of Suez, Corinth-Patras extensional basin and Pindos foreland in Greece, where the impact of transfer faults on basin evolution, depositional environments development along the basi axis, sediment distribution, and potential hydrocarbon fields are possible.