Abstract
Satellite image analysis, radar data interpretation, gravity, magnetic data available seismic reflection profiles and well logs, have been used to define the geological structure of the northwestern portion of the Sirt Basin, Libya.
Visual and digital satellite image analysis have enabled, rapid mapping of the regional tectonic structures and features while when merged with radar revealed additional and more detailed information. The gravity and the aeromagnetic data were subjected to several analytical and FFT frequency-based analyses, filtering and image enhancements including first vertical derivative, horizontal gradient and analytic signal have showed anomalies from sources of various size and depth.
They established a good relationship between the surface and subsurface structure, such as the identification of basement structure while integration of regional seismic lines helped to establish the structural and timing of fault development. The representative seismic lines and regional Potential Fields data have been coregistered and scaled to fit the digital satellite image interpretation maps using ER MAPPER and ArcGIS software. The study area is characterised by a strong NNW-SSE structural grain with less ENE-WSW trending structures that appear to be superimposed on the NNW-SSE structures. The later trend may be influenced by pre-existing Hercynian structure, which is consistent with the regional structure of the western Sirt Basin.
A number of structural domains and exploration leads were identified based on the surface structures expressed on satellite
imagery, and generally, show good correlation with regional subsurface structural features defined by seismic and potential fields data. The leads are primarily structural traps with a related surface expression as interpreted from the data used. The structural setting of existing oil fields in the region were used as analogues for assessing the exploration potential of the surface structures.