YAKOVLEV G.E., GALUSHKIN YU.I., TOKAREV M.YU., ODINTSOV K.L
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia, Oil Company YUKOS, Russia

Complex differential structure of the Barents Sea Basin suggests a specific approach in assessment of prospects in oil and gas bearing in different parts of the Basin. Difference in the basement age, duration of sedimentation, thickness of sedimentary blanket and geothermal regime in different structural elements of the Basin determine specific conditions for generation and accumulation of hydrocarbons, as well as for protection of these deposits during the time from their formation to present time.

The deep wells at the shelf and the wells in the continental part of the Barents region are the main objects for the modeling of oil and gas generation in the Basin. An algorithm for assessment of ability of oil source rocks to generate hydrocarbons was proposed. It allows an estimation of generation characteristics of some Basin's complexes. In the areas, where a borehole data is absent, the pseudo-well models were constructed.

The modeling suggests that hydrocarbon generation can occur simultaneously at the great Basin's area in several tectonic zones, as well as in some isolated little areas. It is related with different generation potential of sedimentary rocks. In addition, a location of the "oil window" is different for varied tectonic elements of the Basin and can change with depth and age of sedimentary rocks. It can be noted that there were periods in the Basin history, when a hydrocarbon generation was negligible. It says about pulsation character of oil and gas generation.

Hydrocarbons could be accumulated within the different structures: great anticlinal uplifts, tectonic screens, reef areas, zones of facial changing and stratigraphic unconformities, ancient channels, deltas and others. But the time of formation of accumulation zones is unlike to coincide with the time of maximal hydrocarbon generation, and in tins case the accumulation zones will be empty or they will be filled by allochtone products.

Our results of the Basin modeling allow to asses an oil-gas bearing perspective for some areas of the Barents Sea shelf and suggest the areas favorable for prospecting of oil and gas accumulations.

ARCTIC SHELF OIL AND GAS CONFERENCE 2004