Downloaded from http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 29, 2021 Lower Triassic reservoir development in the northern Dutch offshore M. KORTEKAAS1*, U. BÖKER2, C. VAN DER KOOIJ3 & B. JAARSMA1 1EBN BV Daalsesingel 1, 3511 SV Utrecht, The Netherlands 2PanTerra Geoconsultants BV, Weversbaan 1-3, 2352 BZ Leiderdorp, The Netherlands 3Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands *Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Sandstones of the Main Buntsandstein Subgroup represent a key element of the well- established Lower Triassic hydrocarbon play in the southern North Sea area. Mixed aeolian and fluvial sediments of the Lower Volpriehausen and Detfurth Sandstone members form the main res- ervoir rock, sealed by the Solling Claystone and/or Röt Salt. It is generally perceived that reservoir presence and quality decrease towards the north and that the prospectivity of the Main Buntsandstein play in the northern Dutch offshore is therefore limited. Lack of access to hydrocarbon charge from the underlying Carboniferous sediments as a result of the thick Zechstein salt is often identified as an additional risk for this play. Consequently, only a few wells have tested Triassic reservoir and therefore this part of the basin remains under-explored. Seismic interpretation of the Lower Volprie- hausen Sandstone Member was conducted and several untested Triassic structures are identified. A comprehensive, regional well analysis suggests the presence of reservoir sands north of the main fairway. The lithologic character and stratigraphic extent of these northern Triassic deposits may suggest an alternative reservoir provenance in the marginal Step Graben system. Fluvial sands with (local) northern provenance may have been preserved in the NW area of the Step Graben system, as seismic interpretation indicates the development of a local depocentre during the Early Triassic.