Petroleum System and Exploration for Hydrocarbons in the Central Ionian Sea, Western Greece

Summary The Central Ionian Sea area, which constitutes the southern prolongation of the Alpine fold-and-thrust belt, is underexplored compared to other parts of the belt (Italy, Albania) due to a low number of exploration wells and limited availability of modern seismic data. Interpretation of recently acquired and vintage seismic data (2D and 3D) in conjunction with well, geochemical and outcrop data from and around two study areas of the Central Ionian Sea enables the petroleum system of this part of the External Hellenides to be better understood. This work aimed to identify the main trapping mechanisms, sealing units and basin subsidence history, while also investigate a link between the offshore and onshore structures and stratigraphy.