Phanerozoic History of the Barents-Kara Region as the Framework for Petroleum Potential Assessment

The Barents-Kara region is one of the most potential in the Russian Arctic with significant hydrocarbon accumulations. It has been confirmed since the early 80s of the last century by large and unique discoveries. In recent years 6 new gas fields have been discovered on the Kara Sea shelf. It is believed that the exploration stage on the Barents and Kara shelf is almost complete and the region at the development stage now. However, the deeply buried Paleozoic sedimentary complexes are practically unexplored and are at the initial exploration stage. The lack of information about deep complexes was one of the reason for the new stratigraphic drilling in the Arctic to tie seismic horizons. Different approach to assess hydrocarbon accumulations and generation potential is needed taking in account the different Mesozoic and Paleozoic data detalization. Underestimation of deep sedimentary complexes may lead to errors in volume and phase composition assessment. The small amount of information on deep complexes cause to predict reservoir and source rocks properties based on paleogeographic reconstructions for the entire Barents-Kara region. It was made for large tectonic blocks which could be deformed during the history development. Different thickness distribution, lithological and stratigraphic composition within depressions and platform blocks is expected.

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