Seismic chimneys in the Southern Viking Graben – Implications for palaeo fluid migration and overpressure evolution.

Karstens, Jens and Berndt, Christian (2015) Seismic chimneys in the Southern Viking Graben – Implications for palaeo fluid migration and overpressure evolution. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 412 . pp. 88-100. DOI 10.1016/j.epsl.2014.12.017.

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Supplementary data:

Abstract

Highlights

• 3D seismic interpretation reveals 46 large chimney structures in the SVG.
• Chimneys can be subdivided in three categories based on their seismic appearance.
• Seismic appearance of chimneys enables reconstructing formation mechanisms.
• Overpressure and seal weakening by deformation control chimney formation.
• Fluid flow along chimneys represents an efficient pressure transfer mechanism.

Abstract

Detailed understanding of natural fluid migration systems is essential to minimize risks during hydrocarbon exploration and to evaluate the long-term efficiency of the subsurface storage of waste water and gas from hydrocarbon production as well as CO2. The Southern Viking Graben (SVG) hosts numerous focused fluid flow structures in the shallow (<1000 m) subsurface. The seismic expressions of vertical fluid conduits are variously known as seismic chimneys or pipes. Seismic pipes are known to form large clusters. Seismic chimneys have so far been described as solitary structures. Here, we show that the study area in the SVG hosts more than 46 large-scale vertical chimney structures, which can be divided in three categories implying different formation processes. Our analysis reveals that seal-weakening, formation-wide overpressure and the presence of free gas are required to initiate the formation of vertical fluid conduits in the SVG. The presence of numerous vertical fluid conduits implies inter-stratigraphic hydraulic connectivity, which significantly affects the migration of fluids in the subsurface. Chimney structures are important for understanding the transfer of pore pressure anomalies to the shallow parts of the basin.

Document Type: Article
Funder compliance: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/265847
Additional Information: Grant Douglas Nicoll Comment on “Seismic chimneys in the Southern Viking Graben – Implications for palaeo fluid migration and overpressure evolution” by Karstens and Berndt Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Volume 435, 1 February 2016, Pages 185-186
Keywords: seismic chimneys; bright spots; focused fluid flow; overpressure; Southern Viking Graben; Sleipner
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-GDY Marine Geodynamics
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Elsevier
Projects: ECO2
Date Deposited: 07 Jan 2015 14:20
Last Modified: 13 Apr 2017 09:00
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/26800

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