oa Mysterious Palaeozoic Carbonates In Nordland Ridge-Application Of Multi-Disciplinary Approach To Subsurface Data

The carbonate package of Upper Permian (Zechstein) age in Mid-Norway is underexplored. Sedimentological analysis of the four wells that penetrated this interval confirm the model of platformal carbonates located on depositional highs and more restricted carbonates deposited within the basins. Only one intriguing well situated on the Nordland ridge exhibits +250 m of heavily dolomitised carbonates carrying no clues about depositional settings. The original depositional character of these unusual foliated dolomites is a mystery and their coarse nature along with other evidence is indicative of fault-related hydrothermal activity. In order to gain insight into the internal heterogeneity and architecture of the Upper Permian carbonates, advanced sedimentological and geophysical technologies deemed necessary. The geological information extracted from the outcome of these technologies in particular analysis on IsoMetrix high resolution 3D seismic is far more diagnostic than conventional reflection seismic data interpretation. An Upper Permian carbonate play may be matured further only by utilizing these advanced technologies.