Salt Tectonics of the Dutch Central Graben and its influence on sediment distribution

Abstract

The Dutch Central Graben (DCG) is an area under intensive exploration for hydrocarbon. This area is located in the Southern North Sea (SNS). The DCG is a rifted basin controlled by the upper Permian Zechstein salt sequence. The halokinesis has a significant role in the development of the basin. The timing of the salt movement can be seen in the surrounding sediments and salt structures. In this study a seismic interpretation has been conducted on the two surveys by using Petrel software, in addition to the well data. The Mechanism of diapirism in the DCG is, the differential load. The first stage for salt movement was a lateral movement, and it has no effects on the overlaying sediments. The second stage was the pillowing stage, which can be seen as thinning on the Triassic toward the salt structures. The tapered halokinetic sequence of the Triassic is the first evidence for the salt moving upward. Third stage started with an extension event in the late Triassic and early Jurassic. This stage appeared as thickening in the late Triassic and Jurassic and forming a secondary rim syncline. The last stage was in the Cretaceous by forming a Tertiary rim syncline with almost constancy in thickness of the adjacent sediments.