BARENTS SEA
Offshore Norway

THERMAL, TECTONIC AND HYDROCARBON MATURATION HISTORIES ASSESSED USING APATITE FISSION TRACK ANALYSIS AND VITRINITE REFLECTANCE
A NON-EXCLUSIVE STUDY

A non-exclusive regional study based on AFTA^® and vitrinite reflectance data from 21 wells and outcrop samples from Svalbard and Bjørnøya. The comprehensive three volume report presents a data-based, well by well assessment of thermal, burial and uplift histories and includes a regional synthesis of source rock maturation histories and the timing of hydrocarbon generation. The study provides key information for prospectivity assessment on both a local and regional scale.

This comprehensive study of the thermal history of the Norwegian Barents Sea region has revealed a complicated tectonic history which has a profound influence on the maturation history of potential source rock horizons. Application of AFTA and VR data has allowed this complex thermal history to be unravelled, including identification and quantification of key episodes of heating and cooling during the Mesozoic and Tertiary. These data are critical to the understanding of maturity development and the timing of hydrocarbon generation relative to structure formation. The report is of value to all companies with exploration interests in the region.

Completed work program

Geotrack's unique thermal history reconstruction methods, based on integrated AFTA and VR data, are applied to provide rigorous constraints for basin modelling and assessment of prospectivity. The comprehensive report includes results from the following 21 wells and outcrop regions:

7117/9-2, 7119/9-1, 7119/12-1, 7119/12-2, 7119/12-3, 7120/8-1, 7120/9-2, 7120/10-1, 7120/12-2, 7120/12-4, 7121/1-1, 7121/4-1, 7122/6-1, 7128/6-1, 7219/9-1, 7224/7-1,7226/11-1, 7228/2-1, 7228/9-1, 7321/8-1, 7324/10-1 plus Svalbard and Bjørnøya outcrop samples.

Key results

The study results reveal a complex regional variation in thermal history styles, with at least 5 paleo-thermal episodes recognised, ranging from Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous to Late Tertiary. The thermal history results indicate considerable variation in the time at which active hydrocarbon source rock maturation ceased in the pre-Quaternary section (including any potential Hekkingen source rocks). These results have profound implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity in different parts of the Barents Sea region and will allow more rigorous development of plays that rely on structural development at particular times in the basin's evolution.

Key information is also provided on:

• Timing of dominant thermal episodes relevant to hydrocarbon prospectivity
• Magnitude of paleogeothermal gradients (paleo-heat flow)
• Variation of paleo-heat flow with time
• Timing and magnitudes of uplift and erosion episodes
• Reliability of vitrinite reflectance as a maturity indicator

Deliverables

The study is presented in a comprehensive report of three volumes. Volume 1 provides the complete Stage 1 study based on 6 wells principally from the Hammerfest Basin area and includes full details of the thermal history interpretation of AFTA and VR data plus raw data and supporting information in Appendices. Volumes 2 and 3 provide similar information for 15 additional wells and outcrop samples from Svalbard and Bjørnøya comprising Stage Two, plus a comprehensive Executive Summary which includes a synopsis of key findings arising from the entire study. The full report is available for immediate delivery.

For further information, please contact us