Seismic Facies Characterization of the Realgrunnen Subgroup in the Wider Hoop Area, Barents Sea

A seismic facies characterization of the Late Triassic Fruholmen Formation and the Jurassic Stø Formation —both hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir units within the Realgrunnen Subgroup in the Barents Sea—was performed to better understand reservoir facies distributions and variations in the wider Hoop area. Depositional features such as fluvial channels and associated elements were highlighted using (1) RMS amplitude maps draped onto stratal slices, and (2) colour-blended images obtained from partial reconstructions of the seismic volume reflection spectrum (VRS). Depositional thickness variations were investigated using isochore maps, and information obtained from regional well data was considered for the analysis. The study indicates a fluvial-dominated depositional system for the mid- to upper-Fruholmen Formation, and a shallow-marine environment for the overlying Stø Formation. Differences in facies thickness distributions are attributed to morphological changes that constrain the depositional environment and are related to paleo-topography, and fault activity before and during deposition of the reservoir section.