An integrated study of available seismic and calibrated wells has been conducted in order to ascertain the
structural development and petroleum potential of the Cretaceous Formations of the Western Gulf of Gabes.
This study has resulted in an understanding of the controls of deep seated Tethyan tectonic lineaments by
analysis of the Cretaceous deposits distribution. Three main unconformities have been identified in this area,
unconformity U1 between the Jurassic and Cretaceous series, unconformity U2 separating Early from Late
Cretaceous and known as the Austrian unconformity and the major unconformity U3 separating Cretaceous
from Tertiary series. The seismic analysis and interpretation have confirmed the existence of several features
dominated by anNE–SWextensive tectonic regime evidenced by deep listric faults, asymmetric horst and graben
and tilted blocks structures. Indeed, the structural mapping of these unconformities, displays the presence of
dominant NW–SE fault system (N140 to N160) bounding a large number of moderate sized basins. A strong
inversion event related to the unconformity U3 can be demonstrated by the mapping of the unconformities
consequence of the succession of several tectonic manifestations during the Cretaceous and post-Cretaceous
periods. These tectonic events have resulted in the development of structural and stratigraphic traps further to
the porosity and permeability enhancement of Cretaceous reservoirs