Exploration potential of Paleozoic rocks of Morocco
Paleozoic rocks of Morocco have some similarities with the producing Paleozoic sequences in Algeria. In Morocco, there is a basic division between the cratonal sequences of the Tidouf basin and contiguous areas and the Paleozoic megabasin to the north and possibly to the west under the present continental shelf areas. The Paleozoic of the northern megabasin has the following positive exploration elements. (1) Both wrench and normal extensional tectonics have produced significant structures that may have been reactivated during 2 later orogenic events. (2) Reservoir quality, although poor in outcrop, can be significantly improved in the subsurface. Wells from the Bojad region of the Tadla basin encountered porosities up to 30% in Devonian clastic sequences. (3) No area can be condemned on the basis of present published geochemical evidence. Burial depths are sufficient for mature hydrocarbons, and rocks with organic material are present in sediment ranging in age from Cambrian to Carboniferous. Paleozoic oil shows have been encountered and may actually serve as the source of hydrocarbon in the Essouira basin in a downfaulted Triassic red-bed sequence. (4) Quality of seismic data is good, even where Paleozoic rocks are onlapped by Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments. Drilling for Paleozoic targets hasmore » been sparse, hence, few data are available to test both source and reservoir potential. Paleozoic rocks still need to be tested by industry and must be considered a frontier area.« less