Norwegian Stratigraphic Database (NSD): North Viking Graben and Tampen Spur (2024 Version)

Study details a glance

Biostratigraphy
Review

162
Wells

Tertiary
Mesozoic
Paleozoic

Key points

• Technically consistent, regionally correlatable Ichron Sequences assigned from first returns to TD in every well

• 78 wells newly added to the NSD, providing additional offset control points to condition update of the existing 84 well NVG and Tampen Spur area database

• 2024 Version newly includes J-Sequence picks (as per Partington et al., 1993, updated to Copestake and Partington, 2023) , plus illustration of deviations relative to NPD Factpages formation assignments

Introduction

A 162-well update to PetroStrat’s correlative biostratigraphic framework across Norway and the UK, focused on the North Viking Graben & Tampen Spur area of the northernmost Norwegian North Sea (Quads 33 to 36). PetroStrat will continue to utilise and develop the Ichron Sequence terminology that is guided by the review of biostratigraphic assemblages recorded from first returns to TD. As such, the 109 wells were prioritised that penetrated a significant portion of Tertiary, Mesozoic and Palaeozoic section (preferably to basement). Sections studied include the main hydrocarbon bearing units of the Cretaceous (Agat) and Jurassic to Triassic, (Sognefjord, Fensfjord, Krossfjord, Ness, Etive, Oseberg, Cook Formations, and Statfjord Group). A key component is interpretation of stratigraphic relationships within the Brent Group sequences in terms of the interplay between stratigraphic pinch-out and disconformity. This latest extension includes 78 wells new to our database, plus a re-review of 84 existing database wells. This is our first release of the Norwegian Stratigraphic Database (NSD), to include the revised, integrated PetroStrat zonation scheme.

The 78 new wells were high graded for inclusion, based upon a systematic screening and ranking criteria following our review of biostratigraphic reports for >350 wells, available through DISKOS. Wells are prioritised that will help (a) regionally constrain the distribution and thickness of intra-Draupne & Intra-Heather sands, (b) help companies identify analogues to the Cretaceous Agat play (e.g., recent Ofelia discovery) and (c) to understand the lesser explored Tertiary sands (e.g., recent Eocene Kveikje discovery). Wells were also prioritised by location – with preference given to those on the flanks of major fields and structures, and also those in less mature licensing areas with greater remaining exploration potential.

All 162 wells in this updated 2024 version now include J-Sequence picks (where Jurassic sections are present in a wellbore) as per Partington et al., 1993, updated to Copestake and Partington 2023, and Ichron Sequence picks. All J-Sequence pick interpretations are attributed with confidence indicators.

Integration of the 78 new wells offer a significant new resource of additional, biostratigraphically-constrained control points which will provide an enhanced stratigraphic framework for the modelling of the main phases of sand deposition, throughout the entire 162-well database. This consequently provides us with an opportunity to revisit and refine sequences in the original North Viking Graben and Tampen Spur datasets. Companies with licenses to the original datasets can upgrade their licenses to the new study versions for a nominal additional fee. 

Deliverables

• Digital export of Ichron stratigraphic sequences, J-Sequences and lithostratigraphic boundaries (Excel format, suitable for import to seismic & modelling software)
• Stratigraphic framework and zonation scheme
• Summary charts for 162 wells including age, local lithostratigraphic formation name, sample data points & biostratigraphic marker events, against wireline/MWD logs
• Correlation panels highlighting regional thickness trends, stratigraphic breaks & hiatal surfaces within the context of the regional structural elements
• IC format database
• Includes new Deviations column, highlighting differences in interpreted depths of formation/member by PetroStrat, relative to that published on NPD Factpages

Well List