Quantification of the magnitude of net apparent erosion in the southwestern Barents Sea by using compaction trends in shales and sandstones – Implications for hydrocarbon exploration

Abstract

On the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the western Barents Sea shelf is generally ice-free and proven by recent discoveries as a frontier area for hydrocarbon exploration. During the Cenozoic, most of the areas of the Barents Sea were subjected to significant uplift and erosion, processes that have had important consequences on the petroleum systems.<p>

<p>This thesis aimed to investigate the estimation of the net apparent erosion in the southwestern Barents Sea and consequently to determine the regional variation and magnitude of the net erosion by studying the compaction of selected stratigraphic layers.<p>

<p>An integrated approach based on seismic interpretation of multi-client seismic data, shale and sandstone compaction combined with a rock physics application was used in order to estimate the amount of net apparent erosion in the study area. <p>

<p>The findings will further serve as input to the overall understanding of the reservoir characteristics, the maturity of the source rocks, timing of expulsion and the retention of hydrocarbons in the traps. <p>

<p>The PhD thesis work was carried out at the Department of Geosciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, North Energy ASA in Tromsø and Oslo and First Geo AS in Oslo.<p>