A drain in my graben: An integrated study of the Heimdal area petroleum system

S. Larter, A. C. Aplin, B. Bowler, R. Lloyd, C. Zwach, S. Hansen, N. Telnaes, O. Sylta, G. Yardley, C. Childs

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    12 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We report a coupled geochemical, fluid inclusion, structural and basin modelling study of the North Sea's greater Heimdal petroleum system. The Heimdal High has acted as a major conduit for vertical petroleum migration since the early Tertiary. Petroleum generated within the Viking Graben is focused laterally along a faulted Jurassic carrier system to the Heimdal High. Vertical migration through 1-2 km of Cretaceous mudstones to Tertiary sands occurred at the Heimdal High under pressure regimes ranging from hydrostatic to highly overpressured. There is no need to invoke vertical migration through faults and hydrofractures, although this cannot be ruled out. Lateral migration in the Tertiary sands takes place from the Heimdal High feed point; oil and gas migrate laterally and (locally) vertically to reach the highest Tertiary sand at most locations. Most migration to current accumulations is very late in the Neogene. We speculate that vertical migration within the Tertiary may be partly controlled by small-throw polygonal fault systems in places where sand has been injected along the faults.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)619-622
    Number of pages4
    JournalJournal of Geochemical Exploration
    Volume69-70
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2000
    EventGeofluids III - 3rd International Conference on Fluid Evolution, Migration and Interaction in Sedimentary Basins and Orogenic Belts - Barcelona, Spain
    Duration: 12 Jul 200014 Jul 2000

    Keywords

    • Basin modelling
    • Fluid flow
    • Fluid inclusions
    • Petroleum migration

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