The main objective of the project is to develop depositional models for Cenozoic sandy systems in the Barents Sea in order to better identify and quantify factors critical to reservoir rock occurrence and distribution. Focus is on studies of the sandy systems of the Cenozoic sediment wedge of the Barents Sea continental margin, integrated with studies on the nature, origin and development of a modern sandy system offshore Andøya, North Norway.
The sediments wedge along the western Barents Sea continental margin contains a 3-4 km thick and relatively complete Cenozoic succession. Significant Middle Eocene reservoir sandstones has been documented in wells, and analyses of the 3D-seismic data reveal that gas accumulations occur commonly within the 2-3 km thick stratigraphic column of the Plio-Pleistocene glacigenic sediments.
Based on multibeam echo-sounder data, including backscatter data together with high-resolution seismic records and cores, a model for the modern Andøya Canyon system is developed. We will identify, qualify and quantify the source areas, transport mechanisms, depositional processes and morphology and geometry and stratigraphy of all parts of the system.
Participating institutions are: The University of Tromsø, Moscow State University, University of Bergen and StatoilHydro. The project is a Petromaks project funded by the Research Council of Norway, StatoilHydro, and the participating institutions