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PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum

Syn-Rift Systems: Outcrop Analogues and Subsurface Applications

Alternative title: Syn-riftsystemer: blotningsanaloger og petroleumsapplikasjoner

Awarded: NOK 13.8 mill.

Rifts are important geological features that form as a result of extension and normal faulting. Many ancient rifts lie several kilometres below the Earth's surface and contain some of the world's most important hydrocarbon reserves and are potential sites for CO2 storage. However, their depth of burial means that they can only be investigated using seismic and borehole data and it is difficult to fully understand the controls on the sediments that infill them. The aim of this project has been to increase our understanding of rift basins and the sediments within them by undertaking research on the active Corinth Rift, Greece, and beneath the Norwegian continental shelf. The project has been led by the University of Bergen and involves academic partners in the UK, France and Greece, together with a group of Norwegian industry partners. We focused on shoreline and deep-water deposits because they can form important rift reservoirs along the Norwegian continental shelf. Our research on the Corinth Rift includes study of well-exposed rift sediments and new shallow borehole cores. Results from analysis of these sediments, integrated with analysis of faults have allowed us to understand how past climate and sea-level changes, together with topography developed by normal faults control deposition as the rift evolves. On Norwegian continental shelf (the North Sea and mid-Norwegian margin), we are analysing Late Jurassic rift structure and deposits. Results have shed light on the importance of deep crustal controls on the rift structure, and how this in turn influences syn-rift depositional systems. Integrating the results from our work in the Corinth Rift with that on the Norwegian continental shelf allow us to develop high-resolution structural and sedimentary models for rift basins. The results of the study will improve the understanding of the evolution of the Norwegian continental shelf during the Late Jurassic and our understanding of rift basins around the World.

We have generated new interpretations of the active Corinth rift and of three areas of Late Jurassic rifting on the Norwegian continental shelf (Lomre/Uer terraces, Frøya High and W Utsira High). Our studies highlight how pre-existing basement structures affect normal fault networks and how tectonic tilting affects erosion rates in rift drainages and controls sediment supply to rifts. Our studies also highlight the role of climate in controlling erosion and sediment input to rifts. We have characterised shallow- and deep-water deposits in rift depocentres, and evaluated the controls on their location, geometry and evolution. Eight early career researchers have been trained during the project. We have delivered 33 presentations at major conferences and, to date, published 13 articles. The results have wide-ranging application across the geoscience community and will have impact in government and in industry working on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Rift basins are important tectonic features that form as a result of extension and normal faulting, and contain some of the world's most important hydrocarbon reserves. It is widely accepted that normal faults evolve through growth and linkage of precursor fault segments, and that such fault zones play a major role in rift basin development. The interaction of fault zone development, climate and sea-level change to influence sediment supply and the deposits preserved in rift basins is less well understood. On the Norwegian continental shelf, rift basins lie several kilometres beneath the Earth's surface and can only be investigated by seismic and borehole data. As a result, hydrocarbon reservoirs within the rift deposits are difficult to identify, and more research is therefore needed. This research project aims to develop a better understanding of the controls on syn-rift deposits by investigating the active Corinth Rift, Greece, which is exposed at the Earth's surface. Here it is possible to examine the normal faults and syn-rift deposits in detail, including evidence of the influence of past climate and vegetation changes. We believe that, if we can understand the controls on syn-rift deposits, we can improve the prediction of the presence and quality of syn-rift reservoirs in the subsurface. We will focus on shoreline and deep-water turbidite deposits because they form potentially important syn-rift reservoirs along the Norwegian continental shelf. We will apply our findings from the Corinth Rift to Late Jurassic syn-rift deposits of the northern North Sea and mid-Norwegian margin of the Norwegian continental shelf. This research will advance fundamental scientific knowledge about the factors that control rift basin structure and stratigraphy. It will also contribute to improved understanding of syn-rift reservoirs, potentially leading to increased exploration success and improved hydrocarbon recovery.

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Funding scheme:

PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum