We are proud to announce the recent publication of our article in the well-respected GeoExpro magazine. The article, which appeared in Volume 21 Issue 3, offers a sneak peek at the newly released Lysing-Lange Formation multiclient study.
The team was highly impressed by the GeoExpro magazine, which they had the opportunity to peruse at the AAPG Madrid conference in 2023. Our geoscientists spotted a perfect opportunity to get some quality reservoir geology in print and approached GeoExpro editor, Henk Kombrink, to start the collaboration. The timing of GeoExpro Volume 21 Issue 3 publication aligned well with the 2024 EAGE meeting in Oslo, providing perfect show-case for this Norwegian Sea integrated study.
First – A shout out to our amazing Reservoir Geology Team
Project Coordinator: Hannah Torrance
Reservoir Geology: John Cater, Mirko Looser, James Scorgie, Caroline Lowrey
Petrography: Daniel Atkin, Patrick Clarke, James Foey, Suzi Burns
Biostratigraphy: Gary Mullins, Dylan Roberts, Gwyd Williams, Nick Miles, Mark Weldon
Heavy Mineral Analysis: Andy Morton, Paula McGill, HM Research Ltd
QEMSCAN Analysis: Jenny Omma, Samantha Bell, Rocktype Ltd (now Stratum Reservoir LLC)
Seismic Analysis: Sarah Parker, Barnwell Parker Geoscience Ltd
Deep marine sedimentation – Turbidites vs contourites
Turbidites are gravity-driven deposits found mainly in deep-sea environments. They are deposited from turbidity currents, which are turbulent gravity-flows triggered by underwater landslides or major flood events. These currents carry large amounts of sediment into deep ocean basins. Sandy turbidites form the main reservoir intervals in the Cretaceous offshore Norway.
Contourites are deposited by deepwater bottom currents. They may be driven by wind or tidal forces, or by the flow of cold, dense water from the poles. Such currents are the focus of ongoing research, and the recognition of ancient examples is still controversial.
The origin and recognition of mixed/hybrid turbidite/contourite systems along continental margins was the main conference theme at last year’s AAPG meeting in Lisbon, with several talks on contourites on the Atlantic continental margins. After the meeting, the PetroStrat reservoir geology team realised that the most productive Cretaceous reservoirs offshore Norway may be dominated by contourites. This is apparently because gravity-driven sands deposited on the sea-floor were winnowed (i.e., cleaned up) by the action of bottom currents, although exactly how, why and where this occurred is still being investigated.
John Cater, Principal Reservoir Geologist and lead author on this paper, had this to say;
“At PetroStrat we combine high-resolution biostratigraphy with core-based sedimentology and petrography. By mapping reservoir sands within a biostratigraphic framework across the Halten Terrace, we can predict reservoir presence and quality with far greater accuracy than conventional methods. Seismic data provides valuable context for subsidence and sediment dispersal, but our integrated approach offers superior resolution.”
Positive Reception and Future Plans
We are thrilled that our GeoExpro article has been well-received by the industry, generating positive feedback at and since the EAGE meeting. We are fortunate to have a team of world-leading geoscientists, and we look forward to publishing more of our cutting-edge research in the near future!
What is GEO EXPRO?
GEO EXPRO is a print magazine that focuses on the global energy sector, particularly from a subsurface perspective. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to the industry which include oil and gas, carbon capture and storage (CCS), geothermal energy, deep sea minerals, and new forms of natural gas. Additionally, the magazine delves into related fields like geology, geophysics, and the technologies that shape the energy sector. In essence, GEO EXPRO serves as a comprehensive resource for those interested in the inner workings of the global energy industry.
Explore Our article in Volume 21, Issue 3 of GEO EXPRO
This specific issue of GEO EXPRO explores various aspects of the global energy sector, once again with a focus on the subsurface. It features articles on recent energy discoveries in China, the potential of geothermal energy, and the utilisation of seismic data. The cover story sheds light on the potential of shallow geothermal energy as a method for decarbonisation, a critical concept in the fight against climate change. Overall, this issue provides a thought-provoking look at current trends and emerging possibilities within the global energy landscape.
Interested in our Lysing-Lange multiclient study?
Biostratigraphy
Review
New
Biostratigraphy
Analyses
Reservoir
Geology
Palaeoenvironments
& Facies
Provenance
Reservoir
Quality
31
Wells
Cretaceous
Key points
- Innovative new workflow, whereby new petrographic and QEMSCAN reservoir quality analyses are aligned with variations detected in sediment composition/provenance, from both reworking signals in palynological assemblages and heavy minerals datasets.
- ~760m core described from 20 of the 31 study wells at a 1:50 scale, with ~200 samples analysed petrographically, ~200 samples analysed with QEMSCAN, 50 samples for XRD and SEM analysis and 30 samples newly analysed for heavy minerals.
- Characterising reservoir sand variability in this challenging play (sands are sub-seismic mud-prone turbidites), and seeking to lend depositional & diagenetic insight into recent discoveries including; Egyptian Vulture (2021), Warka (2020), Black Vulture (2019), Cape Vulture (2018), Dvalin North (2021) & producing fields (e.g., Aerfugal), within these sub-seismic mud-prone turbidites.
