Tracing Lower Cretaceous organic-rich units across the SW Barents Shelf

On the Barents Shelf, northernmost and least explored hydrocarbon province of Norwegian Continental Upper Jurassic organic-rich shales have traditionally been given most attention as these represent prolific source rock unit region. However, in western frontier areas is too deeply buried. By combining high-resolution 2D seismic data, well logs, digitalized Rock-Eval this study documents lateral distribution variability alternative units within Lower Cretaceous succession on SW Shelf. Negative high-amplitude anomalies are traced from shallow basins platform westward into deeper along shelf margin. The tied to intervals increased total organic carbon contents several exploration wells, we thus establish presence four potential units; (1) upper Hauterivian, (2) Barremian, (3) lower Aptian, (4) Cenomanian units. Based associated anomalies, infer that deposition preservation coupled localized, fault bounded depocenters, mainly controlled by Late – Early rifting local reactivation events. Aptian stands out significant unit, particularly Fingerdjupet Subbasin, where it displays a kerogen Type II composition. development oil-prone linked an early event. Due sediment influx combination with high subsidence rates during Albian Cenomanian, pre-Aptian appear undergone deep burial Tromsø Bjørnøya be presently generative. Furthermore, matter dilution due sedimentation seems reduced overall unit.