Study of a Palaeogene intrabasaltic sedimentary unit in southern East Greenland: from 3-D photogeology to micropetrography

Henrik Vosgerau,Pierpaolo Guarnieri,Michael Larsen,Cliona Dennehy,Erik V Sørensen,Rikke Weibel,Christian Knudsen

doi:10.34194/geusb.v20.4984

Henrik Vosgerau, Pierpaolo Guarnieri + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v20.4984

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Abstract

Establishment of robust reservoir models and estimates of subsurface hydrocarbon volumes in relatively unknown subsurface settings can be improved by using data from field analogues. The discovery of the Rosebank oilfield in the Faroe–Shetland Basin showed that intrabasaltic sandstones can form important hydrocarbon reservoirs in volcanic basins (Helland-Hansen 2009). The Sødalen region in southern East Greenland (Fig. 1) forms an excellent field analogue to the Rosebank oilfield where contemporaneous Palaeogene sediments interbedded with lava units can be studied and sampled (Larsen et al. 1999). In this area many of the exposures are located along steep, inaccessible cliffs with excellent exposures that are ideal for 3-D photogeological studies based on digital high-resolution photographs taken from a helicopter.

Highlights

Establishment of robust reservoir models and estimates of subsurface hydrocarbon volumes in relatively unknown subsurface settings can be improved by using data from field analogues
Three-dimensional photogeology is applied on an intermediate scale to map lateral variations of sedimentary units between logged sections
The analogue study has resulted in a large database, which can form an important source of estimates of reservoir size, geometry and connectivity, and of vertical and lateral variations in the sandstone content of reservoirs

Summary

Introduction

Establishment of robust reservoir models and estimates of subsurface hydrocarbon volumes in relatively unknown subsurface settings can be improved by using data from field analogues. On a large scale (kilometre to metre), 3-D photogeology was used to study the extent, geometry and interfingering of volcanic and intrabasaltic sedimentary units. On an intermediate scale (metre to millimetre), sections are logged in the field, sedimentary and volcanic facies are mapped and depositional environments are interpreted.

Results

Conclusion