Expressions of shallow gas in the Netherlands North Sea

Abstract

Surface and sub-surface expressions of shallow gas in the Netherlands part of the southern North Sea are described, using standard E&P 2D and 3D seismic surveys, as well as higher frequency acoustic surveys. Surface expressions observed are pockmarks, which are geomorphologic features at the seabed indicative for venting of gas, and cemented sandstones. The subsurface expressions found comprise both phenomena indicating efficient trapping of gas in reservoir sands, such as shallow bright spots and flat spots, and phenomena, which are indications of migration or leakage to the seabed. We refer to the latter as ‘seismic anomalies indicating leakage’. These anomalies include gas chimneys or seismic chimneys. All chimneys found in the area have in common, that they belong to a seepage style, which is called ‘small and localised’. Much of this seepage is situated over salt domes, with the accompanying normal fault above the domes acting as pathways for the gas or fluids. Although there is admixture of biogenic gas, it is believed that many of the features observed relate to thermo-genic gas.