Geoenergy potential of the Croatian part of Pannonian Basin: insights from the reconstruction of the pre-Neogene basement unconformity

Abstract

Presented work focuses on the importance of unconformity that separates the Neogene infill from older Palaeozoic and Mesozoic rocks in the Croatian part of Pannonian Basin. Structure map of this horizon nearly represents the thickness map of the Neogene and Quaternary basin fill. Rock formations just below the unconformity are significantly weathered, which results in favourable petrophysical properties, making them interesting from the aspect of geoenergy potential. The pre-Neogene surface was constructed in 1:400,000 scale using publicly available subsurface maps of different scale and different level of detail. Harmonization and compilation of these maps enabled construction of a structured surface with near-vertical fault planes. Supplemental maps were constructed via basin modelling, showing the temperature distribution in the subsurface, potential source rock maturity near the mapped horizon, surface heat flow and geothermal gradient distribution. Constructed maps illustrate the importance of the mapped interval for regional planning of future geoenergy-related research.