Integrated geophysical study of Newfoundland continental margin (east coast Canada)
A synergetic approach is used to delineate the tectono-structural framework and establish a model of the geologic evolution of the Newfoundland continental margin. Over 100,000 mi of regional and detailed reflection seismic, various potential field maps and profiles, and selected well information constitute the data base of this study. More than two decades of exploratory effort was recently rewarded by significant oil discoveries contained in the Upper Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sands of the Jeanne d'Arc basin. Although a part of the East Coast North America chain (Florida to Baffin Bay) of passive margin basins, the Jeanne d'Arc basin had a unique intracratonic setting during its development. This prolific hydrocarbon-bearing basin is only one of the structural provinces identified on the Newfoundland Shelf. Other adjacent basins, sediment-covered ridges, platforms, and basement horsts were identified through integration of all available geophysical and geological data. All of the structural provinces defined in this paper are part of an aborted rift system which initially developed in the Late Triassic and was first activated at the end of the Jurassic and then again in Aptian time. Thermal subsidence prevailed during the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary. The extensional history of the Newfoundland passive margin was additionally complicated by intensive salt tectonics. A large 2-D and 3-D seismic base of more than 100,000 mi shows numerous and complex hydrocarbon traps are present, but up to now only the extensional sedimentary cycle has been found to be productive.
- Research Organization:
- Husky Oil Operations Ltd., Calgary, Alberta
- OSTI ID:
- 5994466
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870606-
- Journal Information:
- AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States), Vol. 71:5; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists annual meeting, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 7 Jun 1987
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Basement extension and salt mobility, southern Grand Banks, Newfoundland
Paleogeography of the Mesozoic Jeanne d'Arc basin, Grand Banks, Newfoundland, Canada
Related Subjects
NEWFOUNDLAND
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
EXPLORATION
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
TERTIARY PERIOD
CANADA
CENOZOIC ERA
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
ISLANDS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
SURVEYS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration