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The role of salt tectonics and overburden in the generation of overpressure in the Dutch North Sea area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2014

S. Nelskamp ,
J.M. Verweij  and
N. Witmans
S. Nelskamp*
Affiliation:
TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands, Princetonlaan 6, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
J.M. Verweij
Affiliation:
TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands, Princetonlaan 6, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
N. Witmans
Affiliation:
TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands, Princetonlaan 6, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
*
Email: susanne.nelskamp@tno.nl
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Abstract

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In this paper we study the effects of timing of salt movement and mechanical compaction on the generation of overpressures in Mesozoic rocks. To that end we apply 2D basin modelling on two N-S trending cross sections in the Dutch Central Graben and Terschelling Basin, respectively. Several overpressuring scenarios were calculated by modifying the mechanical compaction of the sealing layer, the rate of sedimentation, and the timing of salt movement. Pressure and porosity measurements from several wells along the cross sections were used as calibration data. The results show that rapid sedimentation and early compaction of Pliocene to Quaternary mudstones explain most of the overpressures in the Cretaceous and Jurassic rocks. The modifications of the mechanical compaction of the Upper Cretaceous Chalk Group performed in this study could not explain the overpressure anomalies in the southern part of the Dutch Central Graben. Processes such as chemical compaction are probably more important in this respect. Overpressures in the Triassic are mainly controlled by the timing of salt movement and the closure of lateral seals. This study has lead to a better understanding of the processes that generate overpressures and those that are involved in their lateral distribution. The integration of modelling scenarios and information on the timing of seal formation enables to define new play concepts and is important for the assessment of possible drilling hazards as well.

Keywords

overpressureTerschelling BasinDutch Central GrabenreservoirsJurassicCretaceousTriassicsalt movementdisequilibrium compaction
Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 91 , Issue 4 , December 2012 , pp. 517 - 534
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2012

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