Organic geochemical signatures of the Upper Miocene (Tortonian—Messinian) sedimentary succession onshore Crete Island, Greece: implications for hydrocarbon prospectivityOrganic geochemical signatures of the Upper Miocene (Tortonian—Messinian) sedimentary succession onshore Crete Island, Greece: implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2023-10-122022enThe definition of pre-Messinian source rocks in the eastern Mediterranean is of paramount importance for hydrocarbon exploration because of the ability of salt to act as a high-quality seal rock. This research evaluates the organic geochemical features of the Upper Miocene (Tortonian—Messinian) sedimentary succession onshore Crete Island, Greece. The study employs original (Messinian, Agios Myron Fm) and published (Tortonian, Viannos Fm, Skinias Fm, Moulia Fm, and Messinian Ploutis section) results from organic geochemical analyses of mudstone samples. One hundred and one samples were examined using standard organic geochemistry methodology (Rock-Eval II and VI-TOC) to define the origin, type, and degree of organic matter maturity. The data indicate that the studied samples have poor to fair gas-prone source rock potential. These possible source rock units have not experienced great temperatures during burial, and, thus, their organic matter is thermally immature. The sub-salt (Tortonian—Messinian) source rock units are likely to be of higher thermal maturity in the western and eastern south Cretan trenches because of tectonic subsidence and a thicker sedimentary overburden. Several traps can grow in these regions, associated with normal faults, rotated blocks and unconformities (both below and above the unconformities). This research provides a basis for the further evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential in Crete Island. It is an area that shares geological similarities with the surrounding regions that contain proven reserves and is of crucial economic and strategic importance.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Journal of Marine Science and Engineering109Maravelis_et_al_J. Mar. Sci. Eng._10(9)_2022.pdfChania [Greece]Library of TUC2023-10-12application/pdf5.1 MBfree Maravelis Angelos Kontakiotis, George Bellas Spyridon Μπελλας Σπυριδων Antonarakou, Assimina Botziolis Chrysanthos Janjuhah Hammad Tariq Makri Panayota Moissette, Pierre Cornée, Jean-Jacques Pasadakis Nikos Πασαδακης Νικος Manoutsoglou Emmanouil Μανουτσογλου Εμμανουηλ Zelilidis, Avraam Karakitsios, Vassilis, 19..- MDPI Rock Eval analysis Pre-evaporitic source rocks Hydrocarbon potential Sedimentary basin dynamics Thermal maturity Kerogen type Hydrocarbon exploration Evaporites sealing quality Messinian salinity crisis Eastern Mediterranean