Structure and hydrocarbon potential of the Nuussuaq basin: Acquistion and interpretation of high-resolution multichannel seismic data. Project NuussuaqSeis 2000
The aim of project NuussuaqSeis2000 is to improve further understanding of the shallow structure of the Nuussuaq basin by acquiring high-resolution multichannel seismic data in the waters around Nuussuaq and Ubekendt Ejland.
The discovery of oil seeps in western Nuussuaq, central West Greenland in 1992 and a number of geological and geophysical studies and data from slim core drilling and exploration wells have increased knowledge of the hydrocarbon potential of the Nuussuaq basin. Seismic data previously acquired in the fjords south and north of Nuussuaq and gravity interpretation have improved general understanding of the structure of the basin. This project aims to improve further understanding of the shallow structure of the Nuussuaq basin by acquiring high-resolution multichannel seismic data in the waters around Nuussuaq and Ubekendt Ejland which will increase the seismic coverage considerably. The new data will also have direct implications in evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential of the onshore areas. Seismic acquisition offshore is much more economic than onshore seismic surveys. Because of the ice conditions and the relative large water depths a short seismic streamer will be used. Acquisition is planned to take place in the summer of 2000. The results of the study will be communicated to the industry through reports and papers and articles in the scientific and industrial press, at exhibitions and conferences, and through personal contacts
A total of 2743 km of data were acquired during a 18 day survey in July 2000, which was 20% more than planned. Data were acquired in three areas: (1) the Vaigat area south of Nuussuaq; (2) the area of Uummannaq Fjord and the strait between Ubekendt Ejland and Upernivik Ø; and (3) the areas west of Ubekendt Ejland and Nuussuaq where basalts are exposed on the sea bed. Data from project NuussuaqSeis 2000 have considerably increased the seismic coverage in the region. Interpretation of the new data has given information on the size and geometry of the individual fault blocks in areas with Cretaceous sediments. Furthermore the new data confirm that the seeps in the Vaigat region are structurally controlled and mainly occur in the block-faulted area north of the Disko gneiss ridge. Data from the GEUS2000G survey confirm the overall structural interpretation published in Chalmers (1999). The interpretation of the structural style in western Vaigat is confirmed as being substantially correct, although the fault patterns have been shown to be much more complex than realised previously, from either the onshore data or from the single line GGU/95-06. The main area of revision has been in eastern Vaigat, but even there the essentials of the Chalmers (1999) interpretation remain. In the area north of Nuussuaq in Uummannaq Fjord and IIlorssuit Sund the fault trend is more N-S than in Vaigat, but also here the complexity in the fault pattern prohibites a correlation for too long distances. The general fault pattern from the structural interpretation of Chalmers et al. (1999) remains valid in this area as well
Key figures
Category
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| Aarhus Universitet | ||
| Råstofdirektoratet i Grønland |
Contact
Thoravej 8
DK-2400 København NV, Denmark
Marcussen, Christian (seniorrådgiver), 38142000, cma@geus.dk
Øvr. Partnere: Århus Universitet. Geologisk Institut. Maringeologisk Afdeling
