Changes

During the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, the Tethyan Margin faced the Neo-Tethys Sea whose paleogeography was primarily equatorial.<ref name=Berraandangiolini_2014 /> At this time, sedimentation across the Tethyan Margin included dominantly shallow-marine carbonate-evaporite settings, some fluvial-deltaic systems and the advent of shallow (generally <200 meters) intra-shelf basins. Intra-shelf basins were commonly bordered by shallow-water carbonates and filled by carbonates and siliciclastics, including deposition of widespread organic rich sediments (source rocks).<ref name=Kendalletal_2014 /> Collectively these systems resulted in the development of world class petroleum systems that are widespread across the Tethyan Margin.<ref name=Kendalletal_2014 /> <ref name=Ahlbrandt_2014 />

During the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, the Tethyan Margin faced the Neo-Tethys Sea whose paleogeography was primarily equatorial.<ref name=Berraandangiolini_2014 /> At this time, sedimentation across the Tethyan Margin included dominantly shallow-marine carbonate-evaporite settings, some fluvial-deltaic systems and the advent of shallow (generally <200 meters) intra-shelf basins. Intra-shelf basins were commonly bordered by shallow-water carbonates and filled by carbonates and siliciclastics, including deposition of widespread organic rich sediments (source rocks).<ref name=Kendalletal_2014 /> Collectively these systems resulted in the development of world class petroleum systems that are widespread across the Tethyan Margin.<ref name=Kendalletal_2014 /> <ref name=Ahlbrandt_2014 />

Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks are important across the Tethyan Margin and account for the majority of the petroleum generated in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Turkey. Nearly all of the more than 137 Bbo and 106 Tcfg that occur in over 100 fields in Iraq have been generated from extremely organic-rich Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks.<ref name=Grabowski_2014 /> The organic-rich Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks extend into Syria.<ref name=Barrieretal_2014>Barrier, Eric, Louai Machhour, and Marc Blaizot, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/335_aapg-sp1960335.htm Petroleum systems of Syria], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 335-378.</ref> Jurassic source and reservoir are equally important in Saudi Arabia, where they have resulted in the world’s largest conventional oil field, Ghawar.<ref name=Cantrelletal_2014>Cantrell, D. L., P. G. Nicholson, G. W. Hughes, M. A. Miller, A. G. Bhullar, S. T. Abdelbagi, and A. K. Norton, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/613_aapg-sp1960613.htm Tethyan petroleum systems of Saudi Arabia], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 613-639.</ref> Yemen, which remains an overall frontier area, has established basins (Sab’atayn and Say’un-Masilah) with proven Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks where recent oil discoveries were made in the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous carbonates and clastics.<ref name=Assaruriandsorkhabi_2014>As-Saruri, Mustafa, and Rasoul Sorkhabi, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/757_aapg-sp1960757.htm Petroleum systems and basins of Yemen], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 757-780.</ref> Aptian/Albian source rocks in Iran have charged the oil in dominantly carbonate Cenomanian and Lower Miocene reservoirs in the Zagros Mountain anticlines; with these reservoirs accounting for an estimated 8% of global oil reserves.<ref name=Bordenave_2014>Bordenave, M. L., 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/505_aapg-sp1960505.htm Petroleum systems and distribution of the oil and gas fields in the Iranian part of the Tethyan region], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 505-540.</ref> In Turkey, Middle Cretaceous source rocks are probably responsible for charging the majority of the reservoirs in this country.<ref name=Derman_2014>Derman, Ahmet Sami (A. S.), 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/469_aapg-sp1960469.htm Petroleum systems of Turkish basins], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 469-504.</ref> In Libya, the Campanian sedimentary section forms world class source rocks with great generative potential.<ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> Upper Cretaceous source rocks have sourced 85% of Libya’s 45 Bboe reserves.<ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> Egypt has multiple proven source rocks in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic sections.<ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> In Lebanon, numerous shows/seeps are likely generated from Mesozoic sources,<ref name=Nader_2014>Nader, F. H., 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/241_aapg-sp1960241.htm Insights into the petroleum prospectivity of Lebanon], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 241-278.</ref> while in Israel 16 oil and gas fields exist that have been sourced by dominantly Mesozoic source rocks.<ref name=Gardoshandtannenbaum_2014>Gardosh, Michael A., and Eli Tannenbaum, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/179_aapg-sp1960179.htm The petroleum systems of Israel], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 179-216.</ref> Triassic-Jurassic-Cretaceous source rocks that exists onshore of the Eastern Mediterranean<ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> <ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> <ref name=Nader_2014 /> <ref name=Gardoshandtannenbaum_2014 /> <ref name=Montadertetal_2014>Montadert, Lucien, Stelios Nicolaides, Per Helge Semb, and &Oslash;ystein Lie, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/301_aapg-sp1960301.htm Petroleum systems offshore Cyprus], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 301-334.</ref> <ref name=Barrieretal_2014 /> likely extend into the East Mediterranean-Levantine Basin.<ref name=Montadertetal_2014 /> <ref name=Marlow_2014>Marlow, Lisa, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/279_aapg-sp1960279.htm Tectonostratigraphic history and petroleum potential of the Levantine basin, eastern Mediterranean], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 279-299.</ref> In the southeastern part of the Levantine Basin, the Mango well tested Lower Cretaceous sands (10,000 bo/d); these sands are likely charged from Jurassic source rocks.<ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> <ref name=Marlow_2014 />

Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks are important across the Tethyan Margin and account for the majority of the petroleum generated in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Turkey. Nearly all of the more than 137 Bbo and 106 Tcfg that occur in over 100 fields in Iraq have been generated from extremely organic-rich Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks.<ref name=Grabowski_2014 /> The organic-rich Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks extend into Syria.<ref name=Barrieretal_2014>Barrier, Eric, Louai Machhour, and Marc Blaizot, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/335_aapg-sp1960335.htm Petroleum systems of Syria], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 335-378.</ref> Jurassic source and reservoir are equally important in Saudi Arabia, where they have resulted in the world’s largest conventional oil field, Ghawar.<ref name=Cantrelletal_2014>Cantrell, D. L., P. G. Nicholson, G. W. Hughes, M. A. Miller, A. G. Bhullar, S. T. Abdelbagi, and A. K. Norton, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/613_aapg-sp1960613.htm Tethyan petroleum systems of Saudi Arabia], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 613-639.</ref> Yemen, which remains an overall frontier area, has established basins (Sab’atayn and Say’un-Masilah) with proven Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks where recent oil discoveries were made in the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous carbonates and clastics.<ref name=Assaruriandsorkhabi_2014>As-Saruri, Mustafa, and Rasoul Sorkhabi, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/757_aapg-sp1960757.htm Petroleum systems and basins of Yemen], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 757-780.</ref> Aptian/Albian source rocks in Iran have charged the oil in dominantly carbonate Cenomanian and Lower Miocene reservoirs in the Zagros Mountain anticlines; with these reservoirs accounting for an estimated 8% of global oil reserves.<ref name=Bordenave_2014>Bordenave, M. L., 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/505_aapg-sp1960505.htm Petroleum systems and distribution of the oil and gas fields in the Iranian part of the Tethyan region], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 505-540.</ref> In Turkey, Middle Cretaceous source rocks are probably responsible for charging the majority of the reservoirs in this country.<ref name=Derman_2014>Derman, Ahmet Sami (A. S.), 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/469_aapg-sp1960469.htm Petroleum systems of Turkish basins], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 469-504.</ref> In Libya, the Campanian sedimentary section forms world class source rocks with great generative potential.<ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> Upper Cretaceous source rocks have sourced 85% of Libya’s 45 Bboe reserves.<ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> Egypt has multiple proven source rocks in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic sections.<ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> In Lebanon, numerous shows/seeps are likely generated from Mesozoic sources,<ref name=Nader_2014>Nader, F. H., 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/241_aapg-sp1960241.htm Insights into the petroleum prospectivity of Lebanon], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 241-278.</ref> while in Israel 16 oil and gas fields exist that have been sourced by dominantly Mesozoic source rocks.<ref name=Gardoshandtannenbaum_2014>Gardosh, Michael A., and Eli Tannenbaum, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/179_aapg-sp1960179.htm The petroleum systems of Israel], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 179-216.</ref> Triassic-Jurassic-Cretaceous source rocks that exists onshore of the Eastern Mediterranean<ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> <ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> <ref name=Nader_2014 /> <ref name=Gardoshandtannenbaum_2014 /> <ref name=Montadertetal_2014>Montadert, Lucien, Stelios Nicolaides, Per Helge Semb, and &Oslash;ystein Lie, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/301_aapg-sp1960301.htm Petroleum systems offshore Cyprus], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 301-334.</ref> <ref name=Barrieretal_2014 /> likely extend into the East Mediterranean-Levantine Basin.<ref name=Montadertetal_2014 /> <ref name=Marlow_2014>Marlow, Lisa, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/279_aapg-sp1960279.htm Tectonostratigraphic history and petroleum potential of the Levantine basin, eastern Mediterranean], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 279-299.</ref> In the southeastern part of the Levantine Basin, the Mango well tested Lower Cretaceous sands (10,000 bo/d); these sands are likely charged from Jurassic source rocks.<ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> <ref name=Marlow_2014 />

Although Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks are very important for the Tethyan region, there are other regionally correlative proven or potential source rocks of Triassic age.<ref name=Grabowski_2014 /> <ref name=Barrieretal_2014 /> <ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> <ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> <ref name=Nader_2014 /> <ref name=L&uuml;ningandkuss_2014 /> <ref name=Cantrelletal_2014 /> <ref name=Alsharhanetal_2014>Alsharhan, Abdulrahman S., Christian J. Strohmenger, and Abdulla Al-Mansorri, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/679_aapg-sp1960679.htm Mesozoic petroleum systems of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: AAPG Memoir 106, p. 679-711.</ref> Cenozoic source rock potential also exists in some deeper basins where the source rocks may be mature.<ref name=Marlow_2014 /> Though there are many proven plays in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic across the Tethyan Margin, there are significant areas that remain undrilled. Correlating stratigraphy and hydrocarbon systems across the margin will undoubtedly facilitate the growth of new exploration ideas and new production.

Although Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks are very important for the Tethyan region, there are other regionally correlative proven or potential source rocks of Triassic age.<ref name=Grabowski_2014 /> <ref name=Barrieretal_2014 /> <ref name=Dolsonetal_2014 /> <ref name=Hassanandkendall_2014 /> <ref name=Nader_2014 /> <ref name=L&uuml;ningandkuss_2014 /> <ref name=Cantrelletal_2014 /> <ref name=Alsharhanetal_2014>Alsharhan, Abdulrahman S., Christian J. Strohmenger, and Abdulla Al-Mansorri, 2014, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/memoir106/data/679_aapg-sp1960679.htm Mesozoic petroleum systems of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates], ''in'' L. Marlow, C. Kendall, and L. Yose, eds., Petroleum systems of the Tethyan region: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1139 AAPG Memoir 106], p. 679-711.</ref> Cenozoic source rock potential also exists in some deeper basins where the source rocks may be mature.<ref name=Marlow_2014 /> Though there are many proven plays in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic across the Tethyan Margin, there are significant areas that remain undrilled. Correlating stratigraphy and hydrocarbon systems across the margin will undoubtedly facilitate the growth of new exploration ideas and new production.

==Future potential and new approaches==

==Future potential and new approaches==