Fault Seal and Trap Analysis, High Temperature High Pressure (HPHT) Central North Sea

Fault seals seen in the HPHT area of the CNS are generally very good, possibly because of overpressures that, globally, appear to enhance fault sealing, and also because of the nature of Triassic and Jurassic stratigraphy in the area. The various laterally extensive and coherent shales within the Skagerrak Formation as well as the Jurassic Formations are helpful in creating a competent seal along fault planes. Seven of the nine fields also have reservoir-reservoir juxtaposition along fault planes above the hydrocarbon water contacts and appear to be sealing due to SGR. The workflows described here should be applied to future studies with the understanding that the uncertainties in stratigraphy and structure need to be incorporated to receive the best assessment of accumulation controls.