Outcrop Study of Heterolithic Tidal Sandstone Bodies in Northeast Greenland (Jameson Land) for Reservoir Characterization

Ahokas, Juha Matti¹, Allard W. Martinius², John Suter³ (1) University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (2) Statoil Research Centre, Trondheim, Norway (3) Conoco, Inc, Houston, TX

Detailed information about the spatial distribution of reservoir flow units and barriers is a key factor in successful management of heterolithic hydrocarbon reservoirs. Multiscale and high-resolution sedimentological and structural studies of outcrop analogues are therefore required in addition to subsurface 3D seismic and well data. This contribution presents preliminary results from an ongoing reservoir analogue study in Northeast Greenland. The study aims at (1) improving conceptual depositional models of shallow marine tide- and wave-influenced systems characterised by heterolithic deposits containing abundant shale layers, and (2) improving subsurface reservoir models and management of the Early to Middle Jurassic deposits of the Mid-Norwegian Halten Terrace where large amounts of hydrocarbons are found in paralic, often strongly tidally influenced and heterolithic sandstone successions (the Tilje, Ile and Garn Formations). The Jurassic Neill Klinter Group of Jameson Land and the Halten Terrace reservoirs were formed on either side of the North Atlantic rift system. They share a similar overall tectonic regime, paleoclimate and depositional characteristics. Focus of the outcrop analogue study has been on 3D multiscale reservoir architecture, heterogeneity and property characterization by i) detailed facies analysis, ii) defining system-specific criteria that can be used to construct a sequence stratigraphic framework, iii) sandstone body dimensions, and iv) shale bed continuities. Outcrop data will be coupled to seismic responses from the Halten Terrace and used to build reservoir models. Subsequent flow simulations will test which type of heterogeneity is most important for hydrocarbon recovery from middle- and late-life oil and gas/condensate fields.