Mesozoic and Cenozoic Offshore Shallow Water Carbonates of Northwestern Greece - Seismic Expression of an Emerging Play

Summary Carbonate reservoirs are widespread throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Platforms and build-ups represent well-known reservoirs of the Western Mediterranean for both Mesozoic and Cenozoic, whereas they represent proven and promising discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean. The North Western Greece offshore lying in the less known Central Mediterranean represents one of the last Mediterranean offshore frontiers. This study aims at proposing new carbonate plays in this area and inferring their reservoir potential. It is based on their seismic expression and literature analogue review. These carbonates are represented by Mesozoic platforms and build-ups from Jurassic up to Upper Cretaceous, and mostly by build-ups from Eocene to Miocene. The Mesozoic carbonates develop in passive margin condition. They generally form wide rimmed platforms and atoll-like structure. These structures are topped by erosional surface and surrounded by resedimented carbonate belts. The Cenozoic carbonates are quite unique in the Mediterranean as some are formed during the Alpine orogeny climax. This particular geodynamic context favors pinnacle-like structures and isolated build-ups. Local and worldwide analogues, in terms of age, seismic facies and geodynamic context, show that both Mesozoic and Cenozoic shallow-water carbonate represent valuable play.