Chapter 6 - Petroleum Systems and Play Types Associated With Permo-Triassic Salt in Europe, North Africa and the Atlantic Region

Abstract

The amount of discovered hydrocarbons associated with Permo-Triassic evaporites in the vast geographic area of Europe, North Africa, and the Atlantic region is enormous. The evaporites have a very wide-ranging impact on the petroleum system elements. The most variable impact appears to be the one affecting the trapping style, which is subdivided into the broad categories of postsalt and presalt plays. The exceptionally large presalt petroleum accumulations in those regions are due to the impermeable character of the evaporites providing the ultimate top seal in almost all cases. The interaction of evaporites with reservoir units is typically underappreciated although it could be critical, especially in the case of carbonate reservoirs. A similarly overlooked aspect generally is the effect of salt on the thermal regime, and therefore on the maturation, of source rocks.