Structural and depositional evolution of the Ivar Aasen area, Utsira High - 2 projects

Project description
The Ivar Aasen area is a structurally complex, down-faulted area of the Utsira High tentatively assigned to the uppermost portions of the Gudrun Terrace. The area was down-faulted prior to the deposition of Permian Zechstein carbonates and evaporites, but at least three tectonic episodes have later left significant imprints in terms of faulting, block rotation and subsequent partial erosion.

The area is the focus of hydrocarbon production, but the structure, stratigraphy and sedimentology of the area are not particularly well understood. Two MSc projects aim to address this, and will focus on the structural and depositional evolution of the area. One of the MSc projects will have a stratigraphic/sedimentological focus, whereas the other will focus on structure. The project will be based on a subsurface dataset that include 3D seismic reflection and well data.

Work tasks project 1 (sedimentology/stratigraphy):
- map key faults, seismic horizons and seismic units to constrain the seismic mega-stratigraphy
- investigate the seismic character and geomorphology of
- characterise stratigraphic and depositional seismic architecture
- investigate the evolution of depocentres and accommodation
- interpret the stratigraphic/sedimentological evolution of the study area, and the structural controls thereof

Work tasks project 2 (structure):
- map key faults, seismic horizons and seismic units to constrain the seismic mega-stratigraphy
- constrain the throw distribution along strike along key faults
- constrain the throw distribution with depth across ket faults
- calculate expansion indices across key faults
- generate isopach maps for key intervals
- interpret the evolution of faults in the study area, and the implications for the evolution of depositional systems and basin physiography

Proposed course plan during the master's degree (60 ECTS):
SDG207 (10 ECTS)
GEOV272 (10ECTS)
GEOV361 (10 ECTS)
GEOV352 (5 ECTS)
GEOV362 (5 ECTS)
GEOV375 (10 ECTS)
In addition, for project 1 (stratigraphy/sedimentology) the student should take GEOV360 (10 ECTS), whereas for
project 2 (structure) the student should take GEOV241 (10 ECTS)

Felt- lab- og analysearbeid
The work is based on the analysis of 3D seismic reflection and well data, which will be undertaken in the 3D seismic interpretation labs at GEO.