The role of salt tectonics and overburden in the generation of overpressure in the Dutch North Sea area

Abstract In this paper we study the effects of timing of salt movement and mechanical compaction on the generation of overpressures in Mesozoic rocks. To that end we apply 2D basin modelling on two N-S trending cross sections in the Dutch Central Graben and Terschelling Basin, respectively. Several overpressuring scenarios were calculated by modifying the mechanical compaction of the sealing layer, the rate of sedimentation, and the timing of salt movement. Pressure and porosity measurements from several wells along the cross sections were used as calibration data. The results show that rapid... Mehr ...