Unconventional hydrocarbon resources of Greece

Abstract

Intensive exploration of probable conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs in Greece is taking place, through the interpretation of seismic profiles and of abundant surface geological data. The unconventional hydrocarbon potential of the country is unknown, as detailed investigations are lacking. The most important rock formations which may contain shale gas are found in the land and offshore basins of northeastern, north-central, and western Greece. A re-evaluation of the data from all boreholes is needed, on the basis of new information, with the aim of identifying possible reserves of unconventional hydrocarbons retained in highly compacted fine-grained strata. Methane hydrates have been detected in the submarine Anaximander Mountains, east of Rhodes Island. They cover an area of about 46 km2 and the volume of methane is estimated at 2.6–6.4 trillion m3. The low content of the Greek lignites in gaseous hydrocarbons and the widespread tectonics in the Hellenic Peninsula are the main factors which prevented large gas accumulations in its 14 main coal deposits. However, additional research is needed to evaluate the coal-bed gas potential of the country.