Abstract: Sequence stratigraphy of the Jurassic of the Halten Terrace, Norwegian Sea
Roger J. Fife, Marcello Cecchi
The Halten Terrace in the Norwegian Sea (64-66° N lat.; 6-9° E long.) represents one of the most prolific hydrocarbon provinces (ca. 3 billion barrel liquids and 11 TCF recoverable), with discoveries and production mainly from Jurassic reservoirs.
As an important part of the overall exploration strategy, sequence stratigraphy helps to understand the subtle interplay between tectonics and eustacy which ultimately controls reservoir
and source-rock quality and distribution.
Extensive core material from 30 wells in the area provides a solid background to carry on and test sequence stratigraphy methods and concepts. High-resolution sequence stratigraphy analyses relies on biostratigraphy, well-log motifs, and detailed core sedimentology and stacking pattern analysis. In addition, well-tie seismic interpretation helps constrain tectonic control and areal facies distribution.
Good quality sandstone reservoirs seem to occur primarily within tidally influenced deposits of transgressive systems tracts and within lowstand system tract deposits in a ramp setting. In the last case, platform tectonic uplifts tuned with high-frequency and high-amplitude eustatic fluctuations induced forced regression mechanisms
, which resulted in a rapid transfer of braided delta facies over previous marine shelf deposits. Analyses of data also indicate a northwards "younging" of facies and events, which indicate a certain tectonic control.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994