The Baffin and Labrador Seas -- New Tectonic Models and Exploration Opportunities Between Greenland and Canada

Jens Christian Olsen
 TGS, Copenhagen, Denmark

New information about the Labrador and Baffin Seas has been provided from acquisition of modern seismic. Integrated interpretation of seismic, gravity and magnetic data challenge published understanding of geology, tectonic history and platetectonic models for major parts of the Labrador and Baffin Seas. Allthough details of the tectonic system are yet to be fully understood, there is good geophysical evidence of a large system of connected deep sedimentary basins and passive sedimentary margins with thick Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary successions. This is particular clear along the NNE-SSW trending Ungava Zone between Labrador/Baffin Island and WestGreenland/Disko where several connected deep basins have been found. The Ungava Zone contain in addition basement structures with 2,4 billion years continental crystalline basement that contribute to local reservoir developments. The northern end of the Ungava Zone merge with the Basins of the Baffin Sea. The southern part of the Ungava Zone merge in a global size dogleg pattern with the Mesozoic Labrador Sea Graben that previously due to lack of high quality seismic has been interpreted to represent a zone of seafloor spreading.

Hydrocarbon discoveries along the Labrador shelf prove presence of commercial quantities of sourcerocks. The scale of the oilseeps onshore the Greenland support that even the smallest of the Ungava Zone Basins contain large quantities of sourcerocks. The rest of the Labrador and Baffin Seas areas are undrilled except for two old shallow wells in the center part of the Ungava Zone both with hydrocarbons. Remaining evidence of the hydrocarbons in major parts of the Labrodor and Baffin Seas are indirect from satellite slick studies and seismic DHI's.

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