The eastern Mediterranean is a geologically complex region, with multiple plate boundaries, subduction zones and associated accretionary wedges, major suture zones, fold and thrust belts, and fault systems. Adding to this complexity are extensive Messinian-aged evaporites across the region, which complicate seismic imaging.

The presence of salt has its advantages. It provides an excellent seal for hydrocarbon reservoirs (e.g. the Zohr field) and it controls the thermal regime in the subsurface, which has been a contributing factor in the production of biogenic gas in the region. While there is extensive biogenic gas in the offshore discoveries, some discoveries (e.g. Karish North) also indicate the presence of a working thermogenic source in the offshore region.

New opportunities abound across the Eastern Mediterranean and include

• Potential presalt carbonate build-ups offshore Crete, west Egypt, and Cyprus
• Shelfal plays offshore west Egypt that have direct analogs to the onshore Western Desert
• Additional clastic plays offshore west Egypt, Cyprus, and Lebanon that are comparable to the Nile Delta plays (pre- and postsalt clastic plays)

The Zohr Discovery Game-Changer

The early exploration focus in the offshore Nile and Levantine basins targeted Tertiary clastic systems sourced by the river Nile. These plays have proven successful. However, since the Zohr gas discovery in 2015, the focus has broadened to include carbonate build-up reservoirs in the deeper water acreage, particularly those sealed by Messinian-aged evaporites. Subsequent successful exploration drilling in Cyprus, supported by PGS’ MC3D data in the region, has proven there are working analogs to Zohr (e.g. Glaucus and Cronos).

A More Proximal Sediment Source

While a large proportion of the sediment fill in the northern Levantine Basin is likely to be sourced from the Nile, the Lebanon Vision dataset reveals that there is clearly additional sediment being sourced from the east and north (see figure below). The quality of these sediments in terms of potential clastic reservoirs is yet to confirmed. Additionally, an upcoming well in Block 9 offshore Lebanon will likely test the continuation of the prolific presalt Tamas sands from Israel into Lebanon.

The most recent MC2D acquisition across the Nile Delta, processed using depth imaging, provides a bridge in understanding between the more studied Nile Delta discoveries and Egypt’s western offshore domain. Additional information can be drawn from the onshore Western Desert Basin, particularly for the offshore shelf areas.