Abstract

Salt (evaporites) is a common but peculiar sedimentary rock formed by leaching of volcanic rocks and sea-water evaporation for the largest deposits.

It is of key economic importance. Since prehistoric times, humans have used and traded it to improve the taste of their food and preserve it. It is mined or evaporated for Halite, Potash and now more and more for Lithium. Caverns can be made by dissolution inside diapirs to store CO2 or H2. Salt has therefore become an important geological issue for the Energy Transition.

Its mechanic behavior allows it to flow throughout the sedimentologic column to the surface and therefore it influences sedimentation of Reservoir and Source Rocks and is a structural machine producing traps for hydrocarbons, oil and gas. It also has peculiar thermal and sealing properties.

Biography

Studies: Ecole Normale Supérieure where he obtained an “Agrégation de Géologie” in 1987. Ph.D. in Structural Geology and Geodynamics in 1992 from Nice University, France.

Elf, then TOTAL since 1992 in Elf. Asset Manager in Norway, Chief Geologist in Libya. The rest of the carrier mostly devoted to structural geology. New venture in Fold-and-Thrust Belts (2004 to 2007), head of the Structural Geology Group (2007-2013). Collaboration with Academy on Rifted Margin, fold-and-thrust belts and salt tectonics (Sivas project). Structural Geology Expert since 2013 advising on worldwide subject for TtotalEnergies central services and affiliates, involved in Research with Academic partners, international congresses workshops, and field courses.