TECTONO-STRATIGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE CENOZOIC NORTHERN NORTH SEA: INFLUENCE OF FLUID FLOW AND DIAGENESIS

Abstract

This study embraces the Norwegian sector of the northern North Sea between latitudes 60° and 61° over an area of 11,000 km2. Tectono-stratigraphic study carried out highlights new basin features which have relevant implications for deposition, fluid migration and hydrocarbon exploration in the northern North Sea. Strong spatial and temporal correspondence exists between the older Mesozoic structures and rift topography and the subsequent depositional and deformational processes in the Cenozoic northern North Sea. This reflects in the resultant basin physiography which influenced erosional elements, controlled sedimentation and depositional styles, and affected the occurrence and distribution of syn- and post-depositional features.The BCU structural framework comprises master fault system, braided fault network, and linkage fault array which influenced distribution of sediment remobilization complex and sediment deposition in the Cenozoic during fault reactivation and fluid migration events. Important Paleocene-Eocene elements include focused sedimentation controlled by compensational stacking, sandy clastics system subject to sediment remobilization and point source deposition, and late Paleocene fault-bounded graben-like linear depression which is marked with thickening deposition in the upper part of the Paleocene unit. The Oligocene-Miocene is characterized by sediment mounds (constrained to early Pliocene), diagenetic front and polygonal faulting, whose distribution is controlled by the prevailing inversion-influenced basin physiography. The prevailing depositional setting and sediment transport are reflected in resultant basin relief and large channel-lobe system. These portray important implications for Utsira sands which are significant for CO2 sequestration in the North Sea. This study presents a 3D seismic analysis of sedimentation, post-depositional influence of fluid flow and diagenesis, and the link to underlying tectonic elements in the northern North Sea.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2011
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Mads Huuse (Supervisor) & Duncan Irving (Supervisor)