Basement Heat Generation and Heat Flow in the western Barents Sea - Importance for hydrocarbon systems

The main objective of the project is to determine the basement composition in the western Barents Sea, primarily from geophysical data, in order to provide input to heat flow estimates; radiogenic heat production varies as a function of basement type and constitutes approximately 50% of the total heat flow in a typical sedimentary basin. Basement type is thus a first order factor for heat generation in sedimentary basins. Several geologic processes relevant for hydrocarbon exploration are temperature depe ndent, such as diagenesis and maturation of organic matter. These processes in turn strongly affect reservoir quality (porosity & permeability) and fluid flow (upward expulsion of both water and hydrocarbons), which influence trap fill level and seal inte grity. Steps in the modelling of heat generation and heat flow include: 1) Estimation of radiogenic heat production, calculated from the content of U, Th and K, both in the basement and in the sediments. 2) Estimation of heat flow from the mantle and t he crust, based on 3D lithosphere models. 3) Calibration of the estimated total heat flow against well data. Basement characterization in the coastal areas of Finnmark, Troms, and Bjørnøya will provide ground truth calibration for estimated basement types in the Barents Sea region. Main research tasks: Compilation of a basement structure map of the western Barents Sea. Characterisation of mainland and offshore basement. Drilling of 3 deep wells (800 m) and measurements of heat flow within the mainland ba sement rocks. Compilation with existing heat flow data, both offshore and on the mainland of Norway, Finland and Sweden. One post-doc position and one PhD stipend is planned for the project. The project involves both national and international co-operati on.