Barents Sea Paleozoic basement and basin configurations (BarPz), Petromaks2 project, 2014-2018. Two post doctoral fellows, one PhD.

The proposed project focuses on understanding Paleozoic basin structure in the Western Barents Sea region. The main goal of the project is to increase understanding of large-scale processes responsible for multi-stage Paleozoic sedimentary basin formation in the Western Barents Sea. The main gaps in knowledge on the tectonic and sedimentary development of the West Barents Sea will be addressed by acquisition of new data for revealing the deep crustal structure, analysis of sedimentary basin fill, integrated with 2D and 3D numerical modeling. Special attention will be paid to understand the role of pre-existing structure on Paleozoic basin evolution and consequences for thermal history will be addressed. The study will have a strong regional focus using data from the SW and Central Barents Sea region. The main goals will be achieved through a number of sub-goals: Reconstruction of sedimentary basin evolution Link sedimentary basin architecture to underlying tectonic processes Quantitative 2D and 3D modeling of rift development focusing on the importance of inherited structure, changing extension directions, vertical motions, and thermal history Study of temporal and spatial variations of structural and stratigraphic evolution and its relation to basin formation, vertical motions and paleo-heat-flow variation		Main partners: Prof. Ritske Huismans (UiB) Prof. Rolf Mjelde (UiB) Prof. Jan Inge Faleide (UiO) Guillaume Duclaux (Post doc) Alexey Shulgin (Post doc) Iselin Aarseth (PhD student) International cooperation: Prof. Magdalena Scheck (GFZ) Prof. Ernst Flüh (IFM-GEOMAR) Dr. Dave May (ETH-Zurich)
	The following aspects of the project will significantly contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the research project: A multidisciplinary research team including geologists, geophysicists, and modelers that will facilitate innovative interdisciplinary research International collaboration Acquisition of new data in key areas integrated with existing data available on the Barents Sea sedimentary basin evolution and crustal architecture will allow us to discriminate between competing hypotheses for the deep Paleozoic basin structure and provide insight into the role of multi-phase rifting in this area Interaction with industry partner(s) engaged in active exploration of the western Barents Sea basin
The project complements and links to a number of prior and active research projects on the Barents Sea area including BarMod at University of Oslo funded by NFR and Statoil. The main aim of BarMod is to link the basin tectono-stratigraphy between the Norwegian and Russian parts of the Barents Sea with particular focus on the former disputed area in the central Barents Sea, and is carried out in close collaboration with Russian partners. The proposed project (BarPz) is highly relevant for the PETROMAKS2 program and call for proposals and relevant programs. The project has special significance in regard to the strategy document “Oil and Gas in the 21st century” (OG21-TTA2), which explicitly prioritizes exploration and basin studies on the Norwegian continental shelf, and the current 22th license round on the Norwegian continental shelf with blocks in the western Barents Sea.

The proposed project focuses on understanding Paleozoic basin structure in the Western Barents Sea region. The main goal of the project is to increase understanding of large-scale processes responsible for multi-stage Paleozoic sedimentary basin formation in the Western Barents Sea. The main gaps in knowledge on the tectonic and sedimentary development of the West Barents Sea will be addressed by acquisition of new data for revealing the deep crustal structure, analysis of sedimentary basin fill, integrated with 2D and 3D numerical modeling.

Special attention will be paid to understand the role of pre-existing structure on Paleozoic basin evolution and consequences for thermal history will be addressed. The study will have a strong regional focus using data from the SW and Central Barents Sea region. The main goals will be achieved through a number of sub-goals:

Reconstruction of sedimentary basin evolution
Link sedimentary basin architecture to underlying tectonic processes
Quantitative 2D and 3D modeling of rift development focusing on the importance of inherited structure, changing extension directions, vertical motions, and thermal history
Study of temporal and spatial variations of structural and stratigraphic evolution and its relation to basin formation, vertical motions and paleo-heat-flow variation

Main partners:

Prof. Ritske Huismans (UiB)

Prof. Rolf Mjelde (UiB)

Prof. Jan Inge Faleide (UiO)

Guillaume Duclaux (Post doc)

Alexey Shulgin (Post doc)

Iselin Aarseth (PhD student)

International cooperation:

Prof. Magdalena Scheck (GFZ)

Prof. Ernst Flüh (IFM-GEOMAR)

Dr. Dave May (ETH-Zurich)

The following aspects of the project will significantly contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the research project:

A multidisciplinary research team including geologists, geophysicists, and modelers that will facilitate innovative interdisciplinary research
International collaboration
Acquisition of new data in key areas integrated with existing data available on the Barents Sea sedimentary basin evolution and crustal architecture will allow us to discriminate between competing hypotheses for the deep Paleozoic basin structure and provide insight into the role of multi-phase rifting in this area
Interaction with industry partner(s) engaged in active exploration of the western Barents Sea basin

The project complements and links to a number of prior and active research projects on the Barents Sea area including BarMod at University of Oslo funded by NFR and Statoil. The main aim of BarMod is to link the basin tectono-stratigraphy between the Norwegian and Russian parts of the Barents Sea with particular focus on the former disputed area in the central Barents Sea, and is carried out in close collaboration with Russian partners.

The proposed project (BarPz) is highly relevant for the PETROMAKS2 program and call for proposals and relevant programs. The project has special significance in regard to the strategy document “Oil and Gas in the 21st century” (OG21-TTA2), which explicitly prioritizes exploration and basin studies on the Norwegian continental shelf, and the current 22th license round on the Norwegian continental shelf with blocks in the western Barents Sea.