Z. dt. Geol. Ges.147/2S. 183-208, 10 Abb., 3 Tab.de.Txt.Stuttgart, März 1996

Absenkungs- und Temperaturgeschichte paläozoischer und mesozoischer Formationen im Nordwestdeutschen Becken.

[Burial and temperature of Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks in the Northwest German Basin.]


Authoren : Gregor Helmut Neunzert, Reinhard Gaupp & Ralf Littke

Abstract :

In the Northwest German Basin, a 2D basin modelling study using PetroMod software was performed to unravel the interactions between basin subsidence, heat flow, maturation of organic matter and generation of hydrocarbons. Therefore a 2D seismic line was used, for which a detailed stratigraphic, lithologic, and tectonic interpretation was established. The study revealed that the basin history can be subdivided into four major phases, which are separated by times of erosion or non-deposition. Phase I (Upper Carboniferous) reflects the development of the study area as back-arc basin or a foreland basin. Phase II (autunian to Jurassic) can be related to rifting and subsequent thermal relaxation. It is the first stage of major coalification and methane generation. Phase III (Cretaceous) and phase IV (Tertiary) can not be related with certainty to particular tectonic events, but they are likely to be influenced by both alpine and Northatlantic geodynamic evolution. Phase III is a stage during which only little gas generation occurred except in areas with abnormal thermal influence. During the Tertiary Westphalian source rocks reached their deepest burial and highest organic maturity. Thus, the quantity and the composition of the natural gases in the reservoirs were influenced to a great extent by this late maturation stage.

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