HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION POTENTIAL OF MONTENEGRO - A BRIEF REVIEW

Geological and geophysical data generated during the mid-1990s and early 2000s indicate that the Montenegro - NW Albania area may have hydrocarbon potential. Thrust-related structures and sub-thrust autochthonous Mesozoic platform carbonates in the Dinaride-Albanide fold-and-thrust belt are potential exploration targets. Potential play types include structurally inverted autochthonous platform carbonates both on- and offshore Montenegro, and platform build-up closures located offshore. Potential source rocks are of Cretaceous age, analogous to those at oil discoveries in the Southern Apennines, and have been modelled to generate economic volumes of light oils which may be trapped in fractured shallow-water carbonates and sealed by deep-water Oligocene shales. The Neogene succession in Montenegro is dominated by turbidite sandstones which have the potential to contain biogenic gas. Structural and stratigraphic traps have been identified in 2D and 3D seismic reflection profiles but no wells have tested this play to date. However the biogenic gas play is considered to be of less importance than the potential oil play involving Mesozoic carbonates.