A Provenance Study of Upper Jurassic Hydrocarbon Source Rocks of the Flemish Pass Basin and Central Ridge, Offshore Newfoundland, Canada

A number of hydrocarbon discoveries have been made recently in the Flemish Pass Basin and Central Ridge, offshore Newfoundland, Canada, but there is only limited geological information available. The primary goal this study was to determine sedimentary provenance paleodrainage patterns mudstones sandstones from Upper Jurassic Rankin Formation, including Lower Kimmeridgian Source Rock (organic-rich shale) members Tempest Sandstone Member reservoirs, area. combination heavy mineral analysis, whole-rock geochemistry detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology determined cores cuttings four wells an attempt decipher provenance. Detrital minerals 20 samples studied geologic units are dominated by either rutile + apatite ± chromite or tourmaline, with minor zircon, indicating diverse source lithologies. Whole rock Zr-Th-Sc trends suggest significant recycling both sandstones. ages were two mudstone sandstone wells. Five major age groups grains found: Late group that represents unknown syn-sedimentary magmatism, a Permian–Carboniferous which interpreted be derived Iberia, Cambrian–Devonian Mobile Belt Newfoundland–Ireland conjugate margin, older (late Neoproterozoic >1 Ga) linked Avalonia. Iberian detritus abundant Ridge southern region containing sizable populations these east whereas lacking population sourced northeast possibly also west. contains Mesozoic zircons, constrain depositional unit no than Tithonian.