Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.18, No.1, pp. 75-90, 1995/font>

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

LEBANON REVISITED: NEW INSIGHTS INTO TRIASSIC HYDROCARBON PROSPECTS

Z. R. Beydoun* + and J. G. Habib*

+ American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon

* Advisers to the Minister, Ministry of Industry and Petroleum, Sami Solh St., Beirut, Lebanon.

Abstract

A total of only six exploration wells have been drilled in Lebanon since World War II. The exposed succession consists predominantly of competent carbonates, with only minor occurrences of shales and marls. None of these wells penetrated formations older than the oldest exposed at the surface, which are of Liassic age. In the majority, reservoirs were invaded by meteoric waters as a result of the proximity of elevated, outcropping recharge areas, inefficient seals, or the proximity of major faults. Calculations based on gravity data indicate that the basement beneath the Lebanon uplift is some 3 km below sea level, providing for a sedimentary column over 5,000-m thick below the Upper Jurassic, most of which is unknown.