Improved Geological Understanding Offshore Lebanon from Newly Acquired Geotechnical Data
Lowrey, Caroline J.1; Skiple, Cecilie *1; Lie, Øystein 2; Semb, Per Helge 2
(1) Reservoir, Multiclient, PGS, Lysaker, Norway. (2) Multiclient, PGS, Lysaker, Norway.
The focus of this paper is the use of modern geotechnical data to characterize an undrilled area containing significant geological unknowns. We will show how new dual-sensor seismic, 3D seismic, and gravity and magnetic surveys (all 2011), when incorporated with regional geological knowledge gained from the existing seismic coverage, helps to resolve several of these unknowns.
In recent years, seismic interpretation of offshore Lebanon has illustrated the main geological features, and identified several prospects and leads across the region. Recent gas discoveries in Israel confirm our stratigraphic interpretation and the presence of a working petroleum system. The program for the newly acquired geotechnical data was designed to assist in confirming current ideas/models, providing additional information and resolving some of the remaining queries regarding the geology and petroleum systems offshore Lebanon.
The new 2D seismic penetrates to 14 ms TWT, making it possible to map stratigraphy deeper than the Upper Jurassic, assisting in the identification of different phases of rifting and spreading, and in the more accurate definition of basin geometry. Based on the existing 2D coverage we had defined a possible provenance area located to the north east and the new 2D survey, which gives us a denser grid to the north-east, enables us to more closely establish the likelihood of this region forming a source of sediment. The new 2D and 3D seismic was also designed to cover and evaluate previously identified prospects and leads and look at closures in areas close to the recent discoveries and it has increased our confidence in the presence of attractive prospects and leads offshore Lebanon.
The new Gravity (Free Air and Bouger) and Magnetic surveys that have been acquired will assist in resolving the nature of the crust in the area; a subject that has been a focus of some debate.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90141©2012, GEO-2012, 10th Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition, 4-7 March 2012, Manama, Bahrain