3-D seismic interpretation of the Samson Dome in the framework of the tectonostratigraphic and fluid migration development of the Western Barents Sea

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3-D) seismic interpretations of data from the Samson Dome show direct connection between the local geological evolution of the area and the regional tectonic and stratigraphic development of the western Barents Sea. Rifting events, halokinetic movements, uplift and glacial processes influenced the area of the Samson Dome. The Samson Dome structure, located in the south-western part of the Ottar Basin, represents a structural high on the Upper Paleozoic depocentre of the Bjarmeland Platform. Salt volumes beneath the Samson Dome are in a range of 500 to 600 〖km〗^3. Many hydrocarbon indicators such as high amplitude anomalies, bright spots, zones of chaotic reflections, phase reversal reflections have been observed in the area adjacent to the salt dome. Presence of potentially significant shallow gas accumulations in the area make the Samson Dome the largest fluid-flow feature in the eastern part of western Barents Sea covering approximately 150 〖km〗^2. Here, three fault types exist in the study area, where Type 1 faults represent crestal faults, Type 2 comprises elongated sub-parallel faults, and Type 3 includes polygonal faults surrounding the dome structure. These faults act as potential fluid leakage pathways for hydrocarbons observed in shallow strata of the Samson Dome. My Master thesis comprises: analysis of the stratigraphy of the Samson Dome and mappings of acoustic anomalies and faults in the area with the aim to propose a tectonostratigraphic and fluid-flow model for the area in connection with the overall geological evolution of the western Barents Sea.