Adriatic

Commentary

Recent appeal of the Rockhopper award by the Italian government underlines the extent of its disconnect from not only fair business practices, but the global nature of the oil & gas markets, further underlines Italy's credibility as a HC province, despite its growing need for energy.

Updated

January 25, 2024

Location

Description

The ADRB is only 49ft deep at its north-western end, deepening gradually towards the southeast. It is the largest Mediterranean shelf and is simultaneously a dilution basin and a site of bottom water formation. The Middle Adriatic basin is south of the Ancona-Zadar line, with the 890ft deep Middle Adriatic Pit (also called the Pomo Depression or the Jabuka Pit). The Palagruža Sill is south of the Middle Adriatic Pit, separating it from the 3,900ft deep South Adriatic Pit and the Middle Adriatic basin from the South Adriatic Basin.

Summary

While the ADRB has a long history of production, exploration has been sporadic and recently discouraged by the operating environment. Consequently, the Italian area of the basin remains underexplored.