Formation of piercement structures in sedimentary basins

Piercement structures such as mud volcanoes, hydrothermal vent complexes, and breccia pipes are common in many sedimentary basins. The structures are commonly formed by vigorous eruptions transporting fluids and material from a deep source area to a vent at the surface. The high-permeability cylindrical conduit zones are commonly re-used for fluid migration during dormant periods and after the structures becomes extinct. The project group has recently mapped hydrothermal vent complexes in the Vøring and Møre basins, where new field, borehole, and seismic data show that the vent complexes form permanent high-permeability conduits that may have a major implication on the long-term fluid migration and petroleum prospectivity of volcanic basins. The project will develop a better understanding of the formation of and transport in piercement structures. Our hypothesis is that pressure build-up may cause fracturing of the overburden sediments, formation of a cylindrical chimney, and eruption of materials and f luids at the surface. This will be addressed by studying the geological processes causing pressure builp-up, fracturing, and conduit zone processes. These goals require an integrated approach combining field-work, geological analysis, analogue experiments , numerical modeling, and the development of new quantitative theories. Piercement structures are important for fluid flow in many prospective sedimentary basins, not only in the Vøring and Møre basins on the mid-Norwegian margin, but also in areas such as the Caspian Sea, W Greenland, and the Barents Sea. An improved understanding of fluid and hydrocarbon migration in pierced basins can lead to the development of new play concepts, improved risk assessment of identified plays, or better development of e xisting fields. The project will be done in collaboration with industry to ensure the rapid application of new results