Characterizing the Paleocene turbidites of the North Sea: Maureen Formation, UK Central Graben

Abstract

This study presents an integrated seismic, well and core-based analysis of the Maureen Formation in the Central Graben of the North Sea. Facies analysis reveals that it is possible to divide the Maureen sandstones into amalgamated, sand-and mud-prone divisions, but that the related chalk facies are complex and imply a range of depositional processes including pelagic fallout, debris flows and turbidity currents. These chalk deposits have an impact on the interpretation of amplitude-based seismic attribute volumes. Detailed petrophysical mapping, supported by seismic analysis, reveals that the Maureen sandstones were deposited in distinct western and eastern fairways controlled by the relict Mesozoic rift topography (although offset stacking is an important intragraben process). The spatial extent of the Maureen sandstones is similar to the overlying Sele and Lista formations and suggests that the broad controls on sediment routing were the same throughout the Lower Palaeogene. Other similarities between these systems include the role of sandstone texture in controlling reservoir quality (although the heterolithic nature of the Maureen sandstones means that porosities and permeabilities are lower). A pattern of intraformational progradation and late-stage backstepping of the sandstone units is likely related to sealevel variability.

Sedimentological evolution of Sele Formation deep-marine depositional systems of the Central North Sea

“…16a, c). This bifurcation is attributed to the remnant bathymetric expression of the underlying Maureen Fan (Figs 18 & 19), confirming the observation of Kilhams et al (2014a) that inherited seafloor morphology of the Maureen and Lista fans and MTCs had an impact on the distribution of the Forties Fan.…”

Giant submarine landslide triggered by Paleocene mantle plume activity in the North Atlantic

“…2; Figs. DR2 and DR3) and petrophysically derived carbonate and porosity distributions (Kilhams et al, 2015).…”

Spatial variability in depositional reservoir quality of deep-water channel-fill and lobe deposits

“…Ehrenberg, 1989;Pittman and Larese, 1991;Ramm and Bjørlykke, 1994;Ehrenberg, 1997;Worden et al, 2000). It is recognized that the primary texture of depositional facies in deep-water sandstones can also maintain a strong control even after diagenesis (Hirst et al, 2002;Lien et al, 2006;Njoku and Pirmez, 2011;Kilhams et al, 2012;Marchand et al, 2015;Porten et al, 2016).…”