The Barents Sea is an epicontinental shelf sea with a fragmented structure consisting of long fault complexes, basins and basement highs. Fluid leakage from deep-seated hydrocarbon accumulations is a widespread phenomenon and mostly related to its denudation history during the glacial/interglacial cycles. In this study, we aimed to better understand shallow fluid flow processes that have led to the formation of numerous pockmarks observed at the seabed, in this area. To achieve this goal, we acquired and interpreted high-resolution 3D seismic and multibeam swath bathymetry data from the Snøhvit area in the Hammerfest Basin, SW Barents Sea. The high-resolution 3D seismic data were obtained using the P-Cable system, which consists of 14 streamers and allows for a vertical resolution of ∼1.5 m and a bin size of 6.25 x 6.25 m to be obtained. The frequency bandwidth of this type of acquisition configuration is approximately 50-300 Hz. Seismic surfaces and volume attributes, such as variance and amplitude, have been used to identify potential fluid accumulations and fluid flow pathways. Several small fluid accumulations occur at the Upper Regional Unconformity separating the glacial and pre-glacial sedimentary formations. Together, these subsurface structures and fluid accumulations control the presence of pockmarks in the Snøhvit study area. Two different types of pockmarks occur at the seabed: a few pockmarks with elliptical shape, up to a few hundred meters wide and with depths up to 12 m, and numerous circular, small, "unit pockmarks" that are only up to 20 m wide and up to 1 m deep. Both types of pockmarks are found within glacial ploughmarks, suggesting that they likely formed during deglaciation or afterwards. Some of the larger normal pockmarks show columnar leakage zones beneath them.Pressure and temperature conditions were favourable for the formation of gas hydrates. During deglaciation, gases may have been released from dissociating gas hydrates prolonging the period over which active seepage occurred. At present, there is no evidence from the 3D seismic data of active gas seepage in the Snøhvit area. Low sedimentation rates or the influence of strong deep ocean currents may explain why these pockmarks can still be identified on the contemporary seabed.
This paper presents an investigation of naturally occurring CO emissions from the Florina natural analogue site in Greece. The main objective was to interpret previously collected depth sounding data, convert them into surfaces, and use them as input to develop, for the rst time, 3D geological models of the Florina basin. By also locating the extent of the aquifer, the location of the CO source, the location of other natural CO accumulations, and the points where CO reaches the surface, we were able to assess the potential for CO leakage. Geological models provided an estimate of the lithological composition of the Florina Basin and allowed us to determine possible directions of groundwater ow and pathways of CO ow throughout the basin. Important modelling parameters included the spatial positions of boundaries, faults, and major stratigraphic units (which were subdivided into layers of cells). We used various functions in Petrel software to rst construct a structural model describing the main rock boundaries. We then de ned a 3D mesh honouring the structural model, and nally we populated each cell in the mesh with geologic properties, such as rock type and relative permeability. According to the models, the thickest deposits are located around Mesochorion village where we estimate that around 1000 m of sediments were deposited above the basement. Initiation of CO ow at Florina Basin could have taken place between 6.5 Ma and 1.8 Ma ago. The NE-SW oriented faults, which acted as uid ow pathways, are still functioning today, allowing for localised leakage at the surface. CO leakage may be spatially variable and episodic in rate. The episodicity can be linked to the timing of Almopia volcanic activity in the area.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) activities at the Snøhvit field, Barents Sea, will involve carrying out an analysis to determine which parameters affect the migration process of CO2 from the gas reservoir, to what degree they do so and how sensitive these parameters are to any changes. This analysis will aim to evaluate the effects of applying a broad but realistic range of reservoir, fault and gas chimney properties on potential CO2 leakage at various depths throughout the subsurface. Fluid flow might take place through parts of or the entire extent of the overburden. One of the aims of the analysis is assessing the potential of CO2 reaching the seabed. Using the Snøhvit gas reservoir and overburden in the Barents Sea, a series of geological models were built using seismic and well-log data. We then performed numerical simulations of CO2 migration in focused fluid flow structures. Identification of potential migration pathways and their extent, such as gas chimneys and faults, and their incorporation into these models and simulations will provide a realistic insight into the migration potential of CO2. In the simulations the CO2 is injected over a 20 year period at a rate of 0.7 Mt/year and migration is allowed to take place over a 2000 year time frame for domains of approximately 21 Km 2 for the caprock fault models, 24 Km 2 for the realistic gas chimney models and 35 Km 2 for the generic gas chimney models, in a layered sedimentary succession. The total mass of CO2 injected in the reservoir during the 20-year injection period is 14 Mt. There is a strong interaction between the various parameters but the parameter that had the most influence on the CO2 migration process was probably the permeability of the reservoirs, especially the average permeability (k). Also, for the faulted caprock scenarios, it should be noted that at near surface depths the permeability of 765 mD is already adequate for a good CO2 flow. At the chimney top level (600 m) however, a further increase in permeability has an additional effect on improving CO2 flow. Overall, considering the slow upward migration velocity of the plume, this geological setup can be regarded as a suitable storage site.
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