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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Special Publications

Abstract


Facts and Principles of World Petroleum Occurrence — Memoir 6, 1980
Pages 723-732
Worldwide Petroleum Provinces

Hydrocarbon Occurrences in the Sirte Basin, Libya

M. G. Parsons, A. M. Zagaar, J. J. Curry

Abstract

Exploration has been active in the Sirte Basin, Libya from 1956 through 1977 and has resulted in discoveries that are estimated to total between 3.6 and 4.8 × 109m3 (23 and 30 billion barrels) of recoverable oil. Crustal extension started in the Cretaceous and continued through the Miocene, and has resulted in horsts and grabens as the primary structural form. Hydrocarbons have been trapped in structural highs, in stratigraphic wedgeouts against structural highs, and in carbonate buildups. Four major oil systems are identified by the age of the sealing rocks. These are top sealing systems of Late Cretaceous, Paleocene, Early Eocene and Early Oligocene age. The combined effect of abundant structural relief, and reservoir development under four major sealing systems, explains why the Sirte Basin is prolific.


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