Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Barents Sea: Focus on Late Palaeozoic Carbonates, a Potential Future Replacer of Hydrocarbon Reserves on the Norwegian Shelf

L. B. Henriksen, E. Henriksen, G. B. Larssen, S. R. Gytri, B. Fotland, B. Osdal
Statoil, Harstad, Norway

The Late Palaeozoic carbonates in the Barents Sea represent a part of the Palaeozoic mega-basin from Caspian Sea to Arctic Canada. Rich hydrocarbon systems have been proved in the Caspian and the Russian basins. So far, 14 wells have penetrated the Upper Palaeozoic succession in the Norwegian Barents Sea. No commercial discoveries has been made yet (pr.12th November 2004).

Based on the overall knowledge the Late Palaeozoic carbonate play still represents an interesting exploration target on the Barents Shelf. The ongoing exploration of this play is focused within licences on the Finnmark Platform and the Loppa High.

On the eastern Finnmark Platform, Late Palaeozoic shallow-water carbonate platforms have been mapped seismically. The trapping mechanism is to be stratigraphic due to the monoclinal setting. The main challenge in this area has been to identify seismic expression for carbonate reservoirs and sealing rocks. Based on well data including shallow core drillings and extensive 2D and 3D interpretation, several carbonate prospects and leads have been identified.

On the Loppa High, Late Palaeozoic carbonates represent the major exploration play. Extensive 3D interpretation accompanied by detailed velocity and gravity mapping has demonstrated the presence of porous shallow-water platform carbonates, which has undergone significant karstification.

Late Palaeozoic carbonates in the Barents Shelf may have potential as a future replacer of hydrocarbon reserves to be produced on the Norwegian Shelf.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005