Arctic Geology and Petroleum Potential

Since the search for hydrocarbon resources in the Arcticstarted in the 1930's the exploration activity has expandedinto many of the Arctic regions, and several of the Arcticsedimentary basins have proven to be important sources ofhydrocarbon. Nevertheless, the Arctic continental margins andadjacent onshore areas are still largely unexplored in thecontext of petroleum, and are therefore considered to be oneof the few regions in the world where significant undiscoveredsources of hydrocarbon may exist. The aim of the book is togive an updated overview of the geology of the Arcticsedimentary basins and their petroleum potential. Although thedifferent basins vary significantly as regards sedimentary fill and tectonic evolution, many of the basins share some ofthe characteristics needed to become prolific oil and gasprovinces.The book contains 45 extensively illustratedarticles. It starts with papers on the Mesozoic source rocks,and oceanic natural gas clatrates in the Arctic, respectively.Then follow articles on the regional and petroleum geology ofthe main regions; Greenland, North American Arctic, SovietArctic and the Barents Sea. Particular emphasis is placed onthe Barents Sea. The two last chapters comprise articles onsalt dynamics and methods. The book closes with a paper oninternational law in the Arctic. This volume will be ofinterest to both students and professional earthscientists/petroleum explorationists working in the northernlatitudes. It will allow the readers to stay abreast of thedevelopment in this climatic region of the world.