--> Abstract: Petroleum Potential of the Mid Black Sea High, Eastern Black Sea, by D. Parker, D. S. Gurney, C. J. Banks, A. G. Robinson, and D. S. MacGregor; #90987 (1993).

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

PARKER, DAVID, D. S. GURNEY, C. J. BANKS, A. G. ROBINSON, D. S. MacGREGOR, BP Exploration, Stockley Park, Uxbridge Middlesex, England

ABSTRACT: Petroleum Potential of the Mid Black Sea High, Eastern Black Sea

The Eastern Black Sea is a deep water basin which resulted from back-arc extension during the Cretaceous. Passive basin infill started in the Late Cretaceous and continues today with deposition rates at times as high as 800 m per million years.

The Mid Black Sea High is composed of two en-echelon highs: the Andrusov and Arkhangelsky Ridges. The important petroleum potential lies within the Andrusov Ridge; a NW-SE oriented feature 130 km long by 20 km. It is interpreted as a large scale complex extensional structure formed during the Cretaceous. Internally, the Andrusov Ridge is broken into a series of large tilted fault-blocks with areal closures of several hundred sq. km. Vertical relief of individual fault-blocks can be up to 1,000 m.

Late Eocene mudstones in the adjacent Eastern Black Sea Basin are believed to be mature for oil generation at the present day. Overpressure, caused by the high Tertiary deposition rate, is expected to drive oil laterally and stratigraphically downwards into potential Mesozoic reservoirs within the Andrusov Ridge. An Airborne Laser Fluorescence survey suggests that the Andrusov Ridge is currently seeping oil. Direct hydrocarbon indications on seismic data in the form of bright spots, flat spots and gas plumes are additional evidence of a working hydrocarbon source system. The Mid Black Sea High represents true frontier exploration. Present day water depth is close to 2,200 m over the entire area. The rewards, however, could be great with reserves potential estimated at over 15 billion arrels of oil.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.