Stemmerik, Lars¹, Steen Agerlin Petersen², Bjarne Rafalesen³, Rasmus Rasmussen¹ 
(1) Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark
(2) Norsk Hydro Research Centre, Bergen, Norway 
(3) University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway

ABSTRACT: Seismic Forward Modeling of Upper Carboniferous – Lower Permian Carbonate Buildups, North Greenland and the Barents Sea

Carbonate buildups are typically composite features, formed through the repeated colonization of paleobathymetric highs. In the upper Paleozoic of the Arctic, there is a discrepancy between the 4th- and 5th-order 5-10 m stacking and organisation of carbonate buildups seen at outcrop and the 50-100 m ‘3rd-order’ sequence stratigraphic organisation of the buildups seen in exploration seismic data. Here we present the results of forward seismic modeling of carbonate buildups exposed at outcrop in Greenland and compare them to regional exploration data from the Barents Sea. The study aimed to better understand the seismic response of the buildups and to better constrain the distribution of reservoir facies within them. Previous attempts to make seismic models of these systems were limited by the inability of the forward modeling software to properly reflect the complex internal stacking patterns, rapid changes in lithology and diagenesis within the buildups, and to realistically distribute rock properties. The use of seismic forward Compound Modeling software, developed by Norsk Hydro Research Centre, Bergen has helped to make more realistic models based on outcrop from which the seismic response of the buildups is better realized.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.