Geological History of the Barents-Kara Seas: Geophysical and palaeogeographic maps of the Barents Sea and Kara Sea - Preproject

The Barents Sea and the Petchora Basin north of 67 deg. N, is one of the World most prolific hydrocarbon provinces, with more than 60 discoveries since the exploration started in the early eighties. Substantial data have been collected, and a number of Pa leozoic to Cenozoic hydrocarbon plays have been tested. Successful plays include the huge gas accumulations in Upper Jurassic sandstones in the Russian Shtokmanovskoye Field and in Middle Jurassic sandstones of the Norwegian Snøhvit Field, and the large v olumes of hydrocarbons found in the Paleazoic succession of the northern Pechora Basin. In order to improve the success rate a better understanding of the basin evolution and paleogeographic setting in the large Barents-Kara seas frontier areas is needed . By integrating the present knowledge from the eastern and western Barents Sea region, and thereby corssing the "traditional exploration boundaries", we can provide key data for improved geological models of the extensive ramaining frontier areas. We sug gest to develop a project aimed at providing integrated geophysical (aeromagnetic, gravimetry, tectonic/structural) and paleogeographic maps. The paleogeographic maps will be focused on time-periods with the most prolific hydrocarbon source rocks (Upper D evonian, Middle Triassic, Upper Jurassic), and the time-periods containing the most promising reservoir units in the region. The project will be developed as a joint venture between VSEGEI, NGU and active industry partners.