Lecture: The Geology of Yemen: An Overview

Speaker: David M Hall Bath Geological Society and SulGeology Ltd

Entry Fee

Members: Free

Visitors: Book via Eventbrite to access via Zoom

Date and Time

19:00 -

Location

Virtual Talk via Zoom


Lecture Description

The topographic and surface geological maps of Yemen show that it is a country of contrasts. To illustrate this, the mainland area can be subdivided into five main regions: The highland region, the fluvially dissected plateau, the flat coastal Plain of the Red Sea rift basin, the rift margin of the Gulf of Aden and the desert areas including the southern margin of the great Rub’ Al Khali sand sea.

The sub-surface provides even more geological interest as stripping back the sedimentary cover reveals at least three major Mesozoic rift basins two of which are proven hydrocarbon provinces. The complex internal fault geometry of these basins reflects the inheritance of Precambrian (and possibly Palaeozoic) lineaments and results in a mosaic of fault-bounded depocenters that probably also extend beneath the volcanic areas in the west of the country.

This talk will provide an overview of the geological history responsible for these characteristics and will also assess the past and future significance of the country’s hydrocarbon resources. A particular focus will be given to fractured Precambrian basement hydrocarbon play which has been a subject of active involvement for the speaker since 2013. The potential for geothermal resources will also be mentioned.

David M. Hall was the Yemen geoscience and exploration manager for TOTAL from 2013 to his retirement in late 2018. Since then, he has been an independent consultant to the PetroMasilah Exploration and Production Company for their on-going activities in Yemen.


Attending via Zoom

This lecture will take place online via Zoom.

Bath Geological Society Members: Free of charge. Joining instructions and the Zoom link are sent to members by email prior to the lecture.

Visitors & Non-Members: (including members of the Geologists' Association and affiliated societies) Please book via Eventbrite to receive Zoom access (see the Entry Fee details above).

How to join: Click the Zoom link provided in your email or Eventbrite confirmation. You can join using the Zoom desktop or mobile app, or directly via your web browser without installing any software. The virtual waiting room opens approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and attendees will be admitted before the talk commences.

For any queries about joining online, please contact [email protected].