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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
AAPG Bulletin
Abstract
DOI: 10.1306/08151817281
Petroleum systems framework of significant new oil discoveries in a giant Cretaceous (Aptian–Cenomanian) clinothem in Arctic Alaska
David W. Houseknecht1
1US Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia; [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Recent oil discoveries in an Aptian–Cenomanian clinothem in Arctic Alaska demonstrate the potential
for hundred-million- to billion-barrel oil accumulations in Nanushuk Formation topsets and Torok Formation foresets–bottomsets. Oil-prone source rocks and the clinothem are draped across the Barrow arch, a structural hinge between the Colville foreland basin and Beaufort Sea rifted margin. Stratigraphic traps lie in a favorable thermal maturity domain along multiple migration pathways across more than 30,000 km2 (10,000 mi2). Sediment from the Chukotkan orogen (Russia) filled the western Colville basin and spilled over the Beaufort rift shoulder, forming east- and north-facing shelf margins. Progradational shelf margin trajectories change abruptly to “sawtooth” trajectories at midclinothem, the result of reduction in sediment influx. Two stratigraphic trap types are inferred in Nanushuk basal topsets in the eastern part of the clinothem: (1) lowstand systems tracts, inferred to reflect forced regression, include a narrow, thick progradational stacking pattern perched on a sequence boundary on the upper slope; and (2) highstand-progradational systems tracts include a broad, thin wedge of shingled parasequences above a toplap surface. Both include stratigraphically isolated sandstone sealed by mudstone. Trap geometries in Torok foreset and bottomset facies in the same area include basin-floor fan, slope-apron, and slope-channel deposits that pinch out upslope and are sealed by mudstone. Significant
potential
exists for the discovery of additional oil accumulations in these stratigraphic trap types in the eastern part of the clinothem. Less
potential
may exist in the western part because reservoir–seal pairs may not be well developed.
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