Trap and seal analysis of the northern Barents Shelf

Abstract

Although the majority of exploration wells in the Barents Sea has encountered hydrocarbons, only two fields, the Snøhvit (gas) and Goliat (oil) fields are currently in production. The geological evolution of the area, including previous deep burial and subsequent exhumation, has contributed to the leakage of hydrocarbon from many traps. Understanding the timing of hydrocarbon generation and migration, trap formationon and regional cap rock properties, as well as the exhumation history of the area is crucial to succeed in reducing the exploration risk in the Barents Sea. The overall aim is to understand the geological risk factors that have influenced seal integrity in a spatialtemporal framework.