Journal of Petroleum Geology, vol. 20(4), October 1997, pp. 403-426
©Copyright 1997. Scientific Press, U.K. All rights reserved.
BURIAL AND THERMAL HISTORY MODELLING OF THE GAFSA-METLAOUI
INTRACONTINENTAL BASIN (SOUTHERN TUNISIA): IMPLICATIONS FOR PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
A. Hlaiem*+, B.
Biju-Duval**, R. Vially**, E. Laatar§ and A. M'Rabet***
This paper is a contribution to the evaluation of the petroleum potential of
southern Tunisia. Its purpose is to report on the burial and thermal histories of the
Gafsa-Metlaoui Basin and the surrounding area in the time interval between the Triassic
and the Quaternary. We have used a one-dimensional deterministic model, which enabled us
to integrate the burial and thermal influences on potential source rocks with kinetic
parameters, in order to define the timing of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in
relation to the main structural episodes in the study area.