1887
Volume 37, Issue 5
  • E-ISSN: 1365-2117
PDF

Abstract

[

The main Gamma discovery Sandstone (Norwegian North Sea) in the Eocene Balder Formation shows features of intrusion but has an unusually high volume and net‐to‐gross. Heavy mineral data and spatial considerations link it to the Odin Member, suggesting it is autochthonous and retains its original stratigraphic position within the Balder Formation.

, ABSTRACT

Mineral‐chemical stratigraphy and provenance analysis are applied to aid diagnostics of a sandstone body of uncertain origin in the northern North Sea. The main Gamma discovery sandstone (well 24/9‐3), hosted by fine‐grained strata in the Balder Formation (early Eocene), has many characteristics of sandstone intrusions, such as discordant upper and lower surfaces and significant jack‐up of overlying strata. However, the gross volume and high net‐to‐gross in boreholes (75% and 85% in 24/9‐3 and 24/9‐14S, respectively) are unusually high compared with sandstone intrusions known from the subsurface or outcrop examples. To constrain the origin of intra‐Balder Fm sandstones in the Gamma area, their heavy mineral assemblages (HMAs) and garnet chemistry are compared with those preserved in depositional Heimdal, Hermod S2, Odin and Frigg Member sandstones found in stratigraphic and geographic proximity. Mineral‐chemical characteristics in the Gamma Sandstone are similar to those in depositional sandstone of the Odin Member, a sandstone unit in the Balder Formation. All other depositional sandstone units analysed have dissimilar mineral‐chemical features, or other factors preclude them as parent units for the Gamma Sandstone. We conclude that the intra‐Balder sandstones in the Gamma discovery occupy their original stratigraphic position and can be assigned to the Odin Member, despite the intense changes to internal and external features caused by in situ remobilisation and sand fluidisation.

]
Basin Research © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd, European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers and International Association of Sedimentologists © 2025 The Author(s). Basin Research published by International Association of Sedimentologists and European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1111/bre.70063
2025-10-11
2025-11-09

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1111/bre.70063
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/bre/37/5/bre70063.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1111/bre.70063&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Bergslien, D.2002. “Balder and Jotun – Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Comparison of Two Tertiary Oil Fields in the Norwegian North Sea.” Petroleum Geoscience8, no. 4: 349–363.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Briedis, N. A., D.Bergslien, A.Hjellbakk, R. E.Hill, and G. J.Moir. 2007. “Recognition Criteria, Significance to Field Performance, and Reservoir Modeling of Sand Injections in the Balder Field, North Sea.” In Sand Injectites: Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production. AAPG Memoir 87, edited by A.Hurst and J. A.Cartwright, 91–102. American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Brunstad, H., F.Gradstein, J. E.Lie, et al. 2013. “A Revision of the Rogaland Group, Norwegian North Sea.” Newsletters on Stratigraphy46, no. 2: 137–286.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Bryn, B. K. L., and M. A.Ackers. 2014. “Unravelling the Nature of Deep‐Marine Sandstones Through the Linkage of Seismic Geomorphologies to Sedimentary Facies; the Hermod Fan, Norwegian North Sea.” In From Depositional Systems to Sedimentary Successions on the Norwegian Continental Margin, edited by A. W.Martinius, R.Ravnås, J. A.Howell, R. J.Steel, and J. P.Wonham, 1st ed., 647–676. International Association of Sedimentologists.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Chesher, J. A.1991. “Geology of the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Adjacent Continental Shelf (North Sheet). 1:1,000,000. British Geological Survey.”
  6. Conoco Norway Inc . 1981. “Conoco Norway Inc. Final Well Report 24/9–3. Conoco Norway Inc., Norway.”https://factpages.sodir.no/en/wellbore/PageView/Exploration/All/346.
  7. Den Hartog Jager, D., M. R.Giles, and G. R.Griffiths. 1993. “Evolution of Paleogene Submarine Fans of the North Sea in Space and Time.” In Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference Series, edited by J. R.Parker, 59–71. Geological Society of London.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Dixon, R. J., and J.Pearce. 1995. “Tertiary Sequence Stratigraphy and Play Fairway Definition, Bruce‐Beryl Embayment, Quadrant 9, UKCS.” In Sequence Stratigraphy on the Northwest European Margin, edited by R. J.Steel, V. L.Felt, E. P.Johannessen, and C.Mathieu, 443–469. Norwegian Petroleum Society Special Publications. Elsevier.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Duranti, D.2007. “Large‐Scale Sand Injection in the Paleogene of the North Sea: Modeling of Energy and Flow Velocities.” In Sand Injectites: Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production. AAPG Memoir 87, edited by A.Hurst and J. A.Cartwright, 129–139. American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Fitzsimmons, R., D.Veiberg, and T.Kråkenses. 2005. “Characterization of the Heimdal Sandstones Within Alveim, Quads 24 and 25, Norwegian North Sea.” In Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference Series, edited by A. G.Doré and B. A.Vining, vol. 6, 123–131. Geological Society of London.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Galehouse, J. S.1971. “Point Counting.” In Procedures in Sedimentary Petrology, edited by R. E.Carver, 1st ed., 385–408. Wiley Interscience.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Grippa, A., A.Hurst, G.Palladino, D.Iacopini, I.Lecomte, and M.Huuse. 2019. “Seismic Imaging of Complex Geometry: Forward Modelling of Sandstone Intrusions.” Earth and Planetary Science Letters513: 51–63.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Hallsworth, C. R., A. C.Morton, and G.Dore. 1996. “Contrasting Mineralogy of Upper Jurassic Sandstones in the Outer Moray Firth, North Sea: Implications for the Evolution of Sediment Dispersal Patterns.” In Geological Society, London, edited by A.Hurst, H. D.Johnson, S. D.Burley, A. C.Canham, and D. S.Mackertich, vol. 114, 131–144. Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Hurst, A., and J. A.Cartwright. 2007. Sand Injectites: Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production. AAPG Memoir 87. American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Hurst, A., M.Huuse, D.Duranti, M.Vigorito, E.Jameson, and A.Schwab. 2016. “Application of Outcrop Analogues in Successful Exploration of a Sand Injection Complex, Volund Field, Norwegian North Sea.” In Geological Society, edited by M.Bowman, H. R.Smyth, T. R.Good, S. R.Passey, J. P. P.Hirst, and C. J.Jordan, vol. 436, 75–92. Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Hurst, A., W.Luzinski, G.Zvirtes, et al. 2021. “Some Petrographic and Mineralogical Diagnostics of Sandstone Intrusions.” In Subsurface Sand Remobilization and Injection, edited by S.Silcock, M.Huuse, M.Bowman, A.Husrt, and S.Cobain, vol. 493, 287–302. Geological Society Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Hurst, A., and A. C.Morton. 2014. “Provenance Models: The Role of Sandstone Mineral‐Chemical Stratigraphy.” In Sediment Provenance Studies in Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production, edited by R. A.Scott, H. R.Smyth, A. C.Morton, and N.Richardson, vol. 386, 7–26. Geological Society Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Hurst, A., A. C.Morton, A.Scott, M.Vigorito, and D.Frei. 2017. “Heavy‐Mineral Assemblages in Sandstone Intrusions: Panoche Giant Injection Complex, California, U.S.A. Panoche.” Journal of Sedimentary Research87, no. 4: 388–405.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Hurst, A., A.Scott, and M.Vigorito. 2011. “Physical Characteristics of Sand Injectites.” Earth‐Science Reviews106, no. 3–4: 215–246.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Huuse, M., J. A.Cartwright, A.Hurst, and N.Steinsland. 2007. “Seismic Characterization of Large‐Scale Sandstone Intrusions.” In Sand Injectites: Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production. AAPG Memoir 87, edited by A.Hurst and J. A.Cartwright, 21–36. American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Isaksen, D., and K.Tonstad. 1989. “A Revised Cretaceous and Tertiary Lithostratigraphic Nomenclature for the Norwegian North Sea. Norwegian Petroleum Directorate Bulletin, 5.”
  22. Jenssen, A. I., D.Bergslien, M.Rye‐Larsen, and R. M.Lindholm. 1993. “Origin of Complex Mound Geometry of Paleocene Submarine‐Fan Sandstone Reservoirs, Balder Field, Norway.” Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference Series4: 135–143.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Jolley, D. W., and A. C.Morton. 2007. “Understanding Basin Sedimentary Provenance: Evidence From Allied Phytogeographic and Heavy Mineral Analysis of the Palaeocene of the NE Atlantic.” Journal of the Geological Society164, no. 3: 553–563.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Jones, E., R.Jones, C.Ebdon, et al. 2003. “Eocene.” In The Millennium Atlas: Petroleum Geology of the Central and Northern North Sea, edited by D.Evans, C.Graham, A.Armour, and P.Bathurst, 1st ed., 261–277. Geological Society of London.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Kilhams, B., A. C.Morton, R.Borella, A.Wilkins, and A.Hurst. 2014. “Understanding the Provenance and Reservoir Quality of the Sele Formation Sandstones of the UK Central Graben Utilizing Detrital Garnet Suites.” In Sediment Provenance Studies in Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production, edited by R. A.Scott, H. R.Smyth, A. C.Morton, and N.Richardson, vol. 386, 129–142. Geological Society Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Knox, R. W. O., and S.Holloway. 1992. “Paleogene of the Central and Northern North Sea.” In Lithostratigraphic Nomenclature of the UK North Sea, edited by R. W. O.Knox and W. G.Cordey, 72–73. British Geological Survey.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Krippner, A., G.Meinhold, A. C.Morton, and H.Von Eynatten. 2014. “Evaluation of Garnet Discrimination Diagrams Using Geochemical Data of Garnets Derived From Various Host Rocks.” Sedimentary Geology306: 36–52.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Lonergan, L., C.Borlandelli, A.Taylor, M.Quine, and K.Flanagan. 2007. “The Three‐Dimensional Geometry of Sandstone Injection Complexes in the Gryphon Field, United Kingdom North Sea.” In Sand Injectites: Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production. AAPG Memoir 87, edited by A.Hurst and J. A.Cartwright, 103–112. American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Lonergan, L., N. J.Lee, D.Howard, J. A.Cartwright, and R. J. H.Jolly. 2000. “Remoblization and Injection in Deepwater Depositional Systems: Implications for Reservoir Architecture and Prediction.” In Deep‐Water Reservoirs of the World. GCSSEPM Foundation 20th Annual Research Conference, edited by P.Weimer, 515–532. SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Luzinski, W. M., A. C.Morton, A.Hurst, I. I.Tøllefsen, and J.Cater. 2022. “Provenance Variability in Coeval Slope Channel Systems: Hermod S2 Member Sandstone (Eocene), South Viking Graben (North Sea).” Geosciences12, no. 12: 450.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Mange, M. A., and H.Maurer. 2012. Heavy Minerals in Colour. 1st ed. Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Mange, M. A., and A. C.Morton. 2007. “Geochemistry of Heavy Minerals.” In Heavy Minerals in Use. Developments in Sedimentology, edited by M. A.Mange and D. T.Wright, vol. 58, 345–391. Elsevier.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Morton, A. C.1982. “Lower Tertiary Sand Development in Viking Graben, North Sea.” AAPG Bulletin66, no. 10: 1542–1559.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Morton, A. C.1984. “Stability of Detrital Heavy Minerals in Tertiary Sandstones From the North Sea Basin.” Clay Minerals19, no. 3: 287–308.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Morton, A. C.1985. “A New Approach to Provenance Studies: Electron Microprobe Analysis of Detrital Garnets From Middle Jurassic Sandstones of the Northern North Sea.” Sedimentology32, no. 4: 553–566.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Morton, A. C.1987. “Influences of Provenance and Diagenesis on Detrital Garnet Suites in the Paleocene Forties Sandstone, Central North Sea.” Journal of Sedimentary Research57, no. 6: 1027–1032.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Morton, A. C.1991. “Geochemical Studies of Detrital Heavy Minerals and Their Application to Provenance Research.” Geological Society, London, Special Publications57: 31–45.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Morton, A. C.2007. “The Role of Heavy Mineral Analysis as a Geosteering Tool During Drilling of High‐Angle Wells.” In Heavy Minerals in Use. Developments in Sedimentology, edited by M. A.Mange and D. T.Wright, vol. 58, 1123–1142. Elsevier.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Morton, A. C., D.Ellis, M.Fanning, D.Jolley, and A. G.Whitham. 2012. “The Importance of an Integrated Approach to Provenance Studies: A Case Study From the Paleocene of the Faroe‐Shetland Basin, NE Atlantic.” In Mineralogical and Geochemical Approaches to Provenance, Special Paper, edited by E. T.Rasbury, S. R.Hemming, and N. R.Riggs, vol. 487. Geological Society of America. pp. 0.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Morton, A. C., and C.Hallsworth. 1994. “Identifying Provenance‐Specific Features of Detrital Heavy Mineral Assemblages in Sandstones.” Sedimentary Geology90, no. 3–4: 241–256.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Morton, A. C., and C.Hallsworth. 1999. “Processes Controlling the Composition of Heavy Mineral Assemblages in Sandstones.” Sedimentary Geology124, no. 1–4: 3–29.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Morton, A. C., and C.Hallsworth. 2007. “Stability of Detrital Heavy Minerals During Burial Diagenesis.” In Heavy Minerals in Use. Developments in Sedimentology, edited by M. A.Mange and D. T.Wright, vol. 58, 215–245. Elsevier.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Morton, A. C., C.Hallsworth, and B.Chalton. 2004. “Garnet Compositions in Scottish and Norwegian Basement Terrains: A Framework for Interpretation of North Sea Sandstone Provenance.” Marine and Petroleum Geology21, no. 3: 393–410.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Morton, A. C., C.Hallsworth, J.Kunka, L.Ewan, S.Payne, and D.Walder. 2010. “Heavy‐Mineral Stratigraphy of the Clair Group (Devonian‐Carboniferous) in the Clair Field, West of Shetland, U.K.” In Application of Modern Stratigraphic Techniques: Theory and Case Histories, edited by K. T.Ratcliffe and B. A.Zaitlin, vol. 94, 183–199. SEPM Special Publication.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Morton, A. C., C.Hallsworth, and G. C.Wilkinson. 1993. “Stratigraphic Evolution of Sand Provenance During Paleocene Deposition in the Northern North Sea Area.” Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference Series4, no. 1: 73–84.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Morton, A. C., S.McFadyen, A.Hurst, J.Pyle, and P.Rose. 2014. “Constraining the Origin of Reservoirs Formed by Sandstone Intrusions: Insights From Heavy Mineral Studies of the Eocene in the Forties Area, United Kingdom Central North Sea.” AAPG Bulletin98, no. 3: 545–561.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Mudge, D. C., and J. P.Bujak. 1994. “Eocene Stratigraphy of the North Sea Basin.” Marine and Petroleum Geology11, no. 2: 166–181.
     [Google Scholar]
  48. Mudge, D. C., and P.Copestake. 1992. “Lower Palaeogene Stratigraphy of the Northern North Sea.” Marine and Petroleum Geology9, no. 3: 287–301.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Newman, M. J., M. L.Reeder, A. H. W.Woodruff, and I. R.Hatton. 1993. “The Geology of the Gryphon Oil Field.” Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference Series4: 123–133.
     [Google Scholar]
  50. Nicholson, U., S.Poynter, P. D.Clift, and D. I. M.Macdonald. 2014. “Tying Catchment to Basin in a Giant Sediment Routing System: A Source‐To‐Sink Study of the Neogene–Recent Amur River and Its Delta in the North Sakhalin Basin.” In Sediment Provenance Studies in Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production, edited by R. A.Scott, H. R.Smyth, A. C.Morton, and N.Richardson, vol. 306, 163–193. Geological Society Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Pelletier, F., and C.Gunn. 2020. “The Gryphon, Maclure, Tullich and Ballindalloch Fields, Blocks 9/18b, 9/18c, 9/19a, 9/23d and 9/24e, UK North Sea.” Geological Society, London, Memoirs52, no. 1: 837–849.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Rochow, K. A.1981. “Seismic Stratigraphy of the North Sea“ Palaeocene” Deposits.” In Petroleum Geology of the Continental Shelf of North‐West Europe: Proceedings of the Second Conference on Petroleum Geology of the Continental Shelf of North‐West Europe, edited by L. V.Illing and R. G.Hobson, 255. Heyden.
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Schwab, A., E.Jameson, and A.Townsley. 2015. “Volund Field: Development of an Eocene Sandstone Injection Complex, Offshore Norway.” In Tertiary Deep‐Marine Reservoirs of the North Sea Region, edited by T.McKie, P. T. S.Rose, A. J.Hartley, D. W.Jones, and T. L.Armstrong, vol. 403, 247–260. Geological Society Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Silcock, S., M.Huuse, M.Bowman, A.Hurst, and S.Cobain. 2021. Subsurface Sand Remobilization and Injection. Vol. 493. Geological Society of London Special Publications. (1).
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Skjærpe, I., I.Tøllefsen, and T.Endresen. 2018. “Developing Viper‐Kobra: Maximizing Recovery by Exploiting the Unique Characteristics of the Sand Injectite Environment. 80th EAGE Conference & Exhibition 2018, 11–14 June, Copenhagen, Denmark.”
  56. Szarawarska, E., M.Huuse, A.Hurst, et al. 2010. “Three‐Dimensional Seismic Characterisation of Large‐Scale Sandstone Intrusions in the Lower Palaeogene of the North Sea: Completely Injected vs. In Situ Remobilised Sandbodies.” Basin Research22, no. 4: 517–532.
     [Google Scholar]
  57. Vétel, W., and J. A.Cartwright. 2010. “Emplacement Mechanics of Sandstone Intrusions: Insights From the Panoche Giant Injection Complex, California.” Basin Research22, no. 5: 783–807.
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Vigorito, M., and A.Hurst. 2010. “Regional Sand Injectite Architecture as a Record of Pore‐Pressure Evolution and Sand Redistribution in the Shallow Crust: Insights From the Panoche Giant Injection Complex, California.” Journal of the Geological Society167, no. 5: 889–904.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Wild, J.2021. “Processes of Sand Entrainment and Emplacement in Sand Injection Complexes of the Viking Graben.” In Geological Society, edited by S.Silcock, M.Huuse, M.Bowman, A.Hurst, and S.Cobain, vol. 493, 95–115. Special Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  60. Wild, J., and N. A.Briedis. 2010. “Structural and Stratigraphic Relationships of the Palaeocene Mounds of the Utsira High.” Basin Research22, no. 4: 533–547.
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1111/bre.70063
Loading
Sand Injection or Deposition: A Perspective From Mineral‐Chemical Stratigraphy
Basin Research 37, e70063 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1111/bre.70063
/content/journals/10.1111/bre.70063
/content/journals/10.1111/bre.70063
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): Eocene; heavy mineral analysis; Palaeocene; provenance; sand injection; sand remobilisation; stratigraphy

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error