24042 - There are Cypriot stocks of biogenic natural gas within the Northern Levantine Basin as well
E, Conophagos, N. Lygeros, A. Foskolos
Translated from the Greek by Athena Kehagias
The first estimates of the company Spectrum, just a few days ago, in regards to the expected (90% probability) recoverable stocks of biogenic natural gas- around Eratosthenis – indicate that they could be of the order of 50 Trillion cubic feet (Tcf) or approximately around 1.5 Trillion cubic meters (m3).
Based on the above results, we’ve estimated that in regards to Cyprus, the expected (probable, 50% probability) recoverable stocks of biogenic natural gas – around Eratosthenes – could reach the 140 Tcf and possible (10% probability) recoverable stocks, the 636 TCF (see. Fig.1).
In our previous estimates though, we didn’t take at all into account the expected potential presence of natural gas reserves in the northern Levantine Basin.
According to the Spectrum co, the unexplored (with 90% probability) stocks of the northern Levantine Basin, could amount to an additional 50 Tcf (or 120 Tcf with 50% probability and 400 Tcf with 10% probability) of which 40% are within the Cypriot EEZ.
The majority of those stocks of biogenic gas are trapped within sandstone reserves, but some of them in karst limestone reserves as well.
According to PGS’s seismic marine recordings on Cypriot plots 2, 3, 9, 13 & 12 which the Premier Oil company studied recently, (the co had discovered the Tamar reserve in 2004) (see. Figure 2)
it is proven, that the potentials of the presence of significant reserves of biogenic gas within sandstones and limestones deposits of the Miocene period are extremely reasonable.
In the seismic recording featured in Fig.2 , and which is crossing over the Cypriot reserve Aphrodite and thereafter crosses over successively through plots 9, 13 & 2,
It is established that, in all the above mentioned plots there are big thicknesses of possible oil bearing sediments of the Miocene period, which are covered in their entirety by impermeable rocks of Messinian evaporites.
In conclusion, if during the next 40 years the Cypriots take care to systematically highlight and promote their mineral wealth – it is possible if they are fortunate- (possible reserves, 10% probability) for the total reserves to be discovered around Eratosthenes and the Northern Levantine Basin, to reach a total of approximately 800 Tcf (23 Trillion m3) ie. Europe’s current needs for at least 40 years.