Hydrocarbons of Quaternary Bottom Sediments as an Indicator of Oil and Gas Bearing Potential of the Northeastern Barents Sea Shelf

The article presents the results of geochemical studies of organic matter and hydrocarbon gases in bottom sediments of the northeastern sector of the Barents Sea. The areas with thermally mature hydrocarbon compounds discharging into the upper part of the sedimentary section are identified. This is evidenced by biomarker indicators of organic matter maturity that are not characteristic of syngenetic hydrocarbon compounds of sediments, as well as by the molecular composition of hydrocarbon pore gases and the isotopic composition of methane carbon. Based on the areal distribution of the detected thermally mature hydrocarbon compounds in bottom sediments, a model of fluid discharge in the sedimentary cover is proposed, taking into account the peculiarities of the geological structure of the region. According to the obtained model, the greatest prospects for oil and gas accumulation within the northern and northeastern sectors of the Barents Sea are associated with the flanks of the North Barents Super Depression.

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