A preliminary seismic stratigraphic study of the Paleocene-Eocene section offshore southern West Greenland between 66° and 68°N

Regional seismic stratigraphic interpretation of seismic data from the early 1970s has led to the identification of 17 Paleocene-Eocene seismic sequences. Interpretation of these in terms of relative changes of sea level showed a good correlation to the global sea level chart of Haq et al. (1987) for Lower Eocene sequences, indicating a tectonically calm period of thermal subsidence.

The Lower Eocene sequences exhibit alternately coast progradation and submarine channel and sheet sedimentation. The Paleocene and Middle-Late Eocene development was marked respectively by rifting and hinterland uplift. The Paleocene sequences probably consist predominantly of fairly marine sheet and channel deposits while the Middle-Upper Eocene sequences are of shallow marine or fluvially dominated sediments.

A tie to well Kangamiut-1 showed the seismic stratigraphic subdivision to be more detailed than the lithostratigraphy of Rolle (1985). Within the Lower Eocene part of his shaly Ikermiut Formation there are several condensed sections not previously recognized. Sequences represented by condensed sections show coast progradation in more central parts of the study area where they are considered sand-prone. Thus potential Lower Tertiary reservoirs quite likely exist offshore West Greenland, contrary to what has previously been inferred from well data alone (Rolle, 1985).