PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF LEBANON: AN UPDATE AND REVIEW

R. Ghalayini^1*2, S. Bou Daher^3**, N. Hawie⁴ and W. E. Chbat⁵

¹ Independent consultant

² IFP Energies nouvelles, 1 & 4 Av. de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France.

³ Energy and Mineral Resources Group (EMR), Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstrasse 4-20, 52056 Aachen, Germany.

⁴ BeicipFranlab, 232 Av. de Bois-Préau, 92502 Rueil-Malmaison, France.

⁵ Lebanese Petroleum Administration, Georges Akouri Street, Beirut, Lebanon

^** now at: Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Volgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.

^* corresponding author: ramadanghalayini@gmail.com

This paper presents a new interpretation of the Levant margin, offshore Lebanon, with a review of Lebanese onshore geology and a new evaluation of the petroleum systems of the Eastern Mediterranean. Here, we divide the Lebanese onshore and offshore into four domains: the distal Levant Basin, the Lattakia Ridge, the Levant margin, and the onshore. Each domain is characterised by a particular structural style and stratigraphic architecture, resulting in different source-reservoir-trap configurations. This new division draws attention to specific areas of exploration interest in which there are distinct petroleum systems. Following a review of previously published data, this study presents new results from stratigraphic, structural and geochemical investigations. The results include a new interpretation of the Levant margin, focussing on the carbonate-dominated stratigraphy of this area and its petroleum potential. New petroleum systems charts are presented for each of the four domains to refine and summarize the updated geological knowledge.

Key words: Levant Basin, Palmyra Basin, Lebanon, petroleum system, Eastern Mediterranean.

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