Geology-Areas of Interest-Bas Dauphiné basin and Ardeche margin

The Bas Dauphiné basin (or Valence basin) and the Ardeche margin are included in the southern part of the ECRIS (European Cenozoic Rift System). Due to thermal anomalies associated to that aborted rift, the Valence basin is identified as a potential target for geothermal exploitation. The Ardeche margin is an interesting  complementary field analog to study deformation associated to major fault systems linked to rifting and  fluid flows within the fracture network.

Two studies focus on that area of interest.

     The first one aims at characterizing the geometry and dynamics of the fracture network under the Valence basin and on field analogs located between Valence and Aubenas cities (Géodénergie program, REFLET project 2016-2020, PhD Arezki Chabani, 2019) : in that study, we compare fracture record in bedrock and sedimentary cover.

     The second one (collaboration with Paris Sorbonne University) aims at determining the impact of mechanical stratigraphy and structural inheritance on fracturing of the Ardeche margin. Particular attention is paid on the mechanical properties of the reservoir analog (INSU-TELLUS 2019 research program).