Exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean has been reignited by important gas discoveries during the last decade. With finds in the Offshore of Egypt, Cyprus and the Levant Basin and promising ongoing exploration programs in offshore Greece and Lebanon, the area has become a very active petroleum province and a global exploration hotspot. The gas discoveries and prospects in this area are even more important given the energy security concerns, as well as the key role of natural gas as the bridge fuel during the energy transition.

The region’s complex geodynamic history evolved from two extensional (Tethyan) passive continental margins to one dominated by Alpine collision, with mountain building and neotectonic subduction-accretion along its northern flank. Rifting was initiated in the Permo-Triassic, continued through the Mesozoic and was characterized by the development of a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate platform attached to the African, Arabian and Eurasian plates as well as the formation of isolated carbonate outer-high platforms located on continental blocks (e.g., Eratosthenes, Ionian Sea and around Apulia). These carbonate platforms (reefs, slopes, calciturbidites etc.) offer attractive exploration targets for the industry.

The subsequent influx of siliciclastic sediments due to the tilting of the African-Arabian shoulders and the initiation of Cenozoic (Tauride, Hellenide, Albanide, Apennine and Dinaride) fold-and-thrust systems during the late Oligocene to early Miocene gave birth to younger reservoirs. Subsequent marine isolation and evaporation led to the formation of a thick salt layer during the Messinian Salinity Crisis; before rejuvenated clastic systems were deposited during the Late Neogene in response to northward drainage off the African continent (Nile Delta).

In an effort to unlock the petroleum resources below the Messinian salt layer, ambitious geological and geophysical exploration and drilling has taken place that seeks to identify unexplored prospects in offshore areas. Their identification will require further geological understanding and more technical development in geophysical imaging, rock mechanics and reservoir properties before proceeding to drilling and field development. More recently, attention has turned towards addressing the challenges of the energy transition, decarbonisation and meeting net zero emission targets. With a continuous demand for oil and gas to meet energy needs, the role of local supplies that carry a lower carbon footprint becomes even more important.

In summary, the East Mediterranean region stands out as a developing energy province, rich in natural gas reserves and with an indisputable renewable energy potential. Future plans and developments are expected to facilitate alternative low carbon products from the area (e.g., through carbon sequestration, hydrogen, methanol and ammonia production, storage and transportation, geothermal, offshore wind and solar power). Evaluating and re-purposing the subsurface will add a cyclic economy component and cross sectorial value to the needs of the region.