Age of oils in West Greenland: was there a Mesozoic seaway between Greenland and Canada?

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Abstract

The Itilli oil type from onshore central West Greenland is an oil derived from marine shale, and shows clear similarities to pyrolysates of immature Cenomanian-Turonian age oil-prone source rocks from the Canadian Arctic. Analysis of age-diagnostic biological markers and the distribution of regular steranes indicate a source rock age similar to that of Cenomanian-Turonian age oils from the Canadian Arctic or of older Upper Jurassic oils from the Jeanne d'Arc Basin. Geochemical data, combined with other indications of petroleum in West Greenland offshore areas, support the existence of one or more Mesozoic marine petroleum source rocks in the larger Davis Strait area, and hence the notion of a Mesozoic seaway between Greenland and Canada.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-52
Number of pages4
JournalGeological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin
Volume4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jul 2004

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 3: Energy Resources

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