Chapter 1 An overview of the petroleum geology of the Arctic by Anthony M. Spencer, Ashton F. Embry, Donald L. Gautier, Antonina V. Stoupakova, and Kai Sørensen Geological Society, London, Memoirs Volume 35(1):1-15 August 5, 2011 © The Geological Society of London 2011

The four-fold grouping of the tectonic provinces of the Arctic: continental cores, sedimentary basins, oceanic realms and the North Pacific rim. The four-fold grouping of the tectonic provinces of the Arctic: continental cores, sedimentary basins, oceanic realms and the North Pacific rim. The numerical values in the legend boxes are the areas of the provinces in 106 km2. Based on Figure 1.2. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

A simplified map of the tectonic provinces of the Arctic. A simplified map of the tectonic provinces of the Arctic. Compiled mostly following Grantz et al. (2009) and Harrison et al. (2008). The outline of the oceanic crust in the Canada Basin follows Alvey et al. (2008, fig. 6b). Sedimentary thicknesses in Siberia are from Petrov et al. (2008) and Milanovsky (2007). Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

Maps of palaeogeography of the Arctic based on Golonka's maps for the Late Devonian, the Middle Triassic, the Late Jurassic and the Middle Palaeogene, representing the times of deposition of some of the major Arctic source rocks, and inspired by the work of Ulmishek & Klemme (1990). Maps of palaeogeography of the Arctic based on Golonka's maps for the Late Devonian, the Middle Triassic, the Late Jurassic and the Middle Palaeogene, representing the times of deposition of some of the major Arctic source rocks, and inspired by the work of Ulmishek & Klemme (1990). Jan Golonka kindly supplied extended versions of some of the maps appearing in Golonka. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

Stratigraphy of the well-known basins of the western Arctic. Stratigraphy of the well-known basins of the western Arctic. Principal sources: (a) Sherwood et al. (2002); (b) Moore et al. (1994) and Magoon et al. (2003); (c) Norris & Hughes (1997) and Dixon (1982); (d) papers in Trettin (1991); (e) Stemmerik & Håkansson (1991) and Håkansson et al. (1991); (f) Birkelund & Perch-Nielsen (1976); (g) Gregersen et al. (2007). For locations see Figure 1.2. The arrows on the left of some columns link source rocks to reservoirs to indicate proposed petroleum systems. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

Stratigraphy of the well known basins of the eastern Arctic. Stratigraphy of the well known basins of the eastern Arctic. Principal sources: (h) Nøttvedt et al. (1993); (i) Henriksen et al.; (j) Gramberg (1988); (k) Timonin (1998), Schenk; (l) Gurari et al. (2005), Skorobogatov et al. (2003); (m) Pogrebitskiy (1971). For locations see Figure 1.2, and for explanations of symbols and patterns see Figure 1.4. The arrows on the left of some columns link source rocks to reservoirs to indicate proposed petroleum systems. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

An outline of the intensity of petroleum exploration in the Arctic. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

Discovered and yet-to-find petroleum resources of the Arctic (sources in Table 1.1). Discovered and yet-to-find petroleum resources of the Arctic (sources in Table 1.1). The left map shows the Assessment Units of Gautier, Bird et al. (yellow regions outlined in red). The right map shows the regions assessed by Kontorovich et al. Bbbloe, billion barrels oil equivalent. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

A stratigraphic diagram to illustrate the proven and possible petroleum systems of selected regions of the Arctic. A stratigraphic diagram to illustrate the proven and possible petroleum systems of selected regions of the Arctic. Solid columns (yellow, green) show the known or likely extent of the stratigraphic columns. Black question marks indicate that occurrence of strata of those ages is possible. The stratigraphic intervals coloured dark green (in five intervals) or light green (in 10 intervals) are known to have sourced proven petroleum systems. Green question marks (six intervals) indicate possible source rock ages for known discoveries. Many of the yellow intervals could contain source rocks which, if mature, could have given rise to petroleum systems that have not yet been discovered, especially in those regions where there are no exploration wells (North Baffin Bay, NE Greenland, North Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, East Siberian Sea, North Chukchi Basin) or only few exploration wells (US Chukchi Sea, West Greenland, East Barents Sea). In these undrilled, or little drilled, regions there is thus the potential for Palaeozoic petroleum systems in five regions; for Triassic petroleum systems in three regions; for Jurassic petroleum systems in six regions; for Cretaceous petroleum systems in nine regions; and for Cenozoic petroleum systems in seven regions. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011

The Arctic Ocean and surrounding land masses. Anthony M. Spencer et al. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 2011;35:1-15 © The Geological Society of London 2011