Abstracts Volume

FORCE: Predictive Biostratigraphy Wednesday September 27th and Thursday September 28th 2017

Day 1 Wednesday 27th September 2017

Hall Toll

Strategies in stratigraphic prediction Felix M. Gradstein, University of Oslo, Norway and SEES, Portsmouth, UK

Simple, fast and well understood strategies exist to:

A. Predict the stratigraphic order of local microfossil events in the next well to be drilled.

B. Rank the stratigraphic fidelity (non-cross-over) of local events in a multi-well correlation

framework.

C. Solve the issue that conventional zonations do not rank the degree of

mismatch (diachroneity) of microfossil range endpoints in a correlation scheme.

Five large, carefully assembled data sets of nannofossils, benthic and planktonic foraminifera and

dinoflagelates in groups of between 15 and 30 wells from the Gulf of Mexico, onshore Louisiana and

offshore Norway were analysed for quality in stratigraphic prediction. Figure 1 shows the simple

features utilized.

Between 60 and 75% of microfossils could be classified as reliable markers in zonation and

correlation. ‘Bad’ events were grouped in those with often too low tops or often too high bases. The

Louisiana zonation improved resolution and chronostratigraphic calibration of an existing local

consultant zonal scheme.

Figure1. Stratigraphic properties of microfossil events and ranges in 8 wells or outcrop sections.

The Mississippian palynological assemblages in Spitsbergen and its

correlation with Finnmark Platform, Barents Sea

Lopes, Gilda.1, Clayton, G.2, Mangerud, G.1

1University of Bergen, Department of Earth Science, PO Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway;

Gilda.Lopes@uib.no, Gunn.Mangerud@uib.no 2Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK;

g.clayton@sheffield.ac.uk

Keywords: Palynomorphs; Viséan; Billefjorden Group; Svalbard

The geology of Svalbard has been the subject of many studies since the last part of the nineteenth

century due to scientific, as well as economic interests. The study of the Svalbard sections is crucial

as an analogue for the offshore Barents Sea successions including the depositional environments and

the source rock- and reservoir characteristics. This work provides important data to improve the

regional correlation and dating based on the new palynological zonation developed for Finnmark

Platform (Lopes et al., 2016; Lopes et al., submitted). The palynological study of an outcrop section

in the Birger Johnsonfjellet area, from the inner part of Billefjorden, near the abandoned Russian

settlement of Pyramiden. Spitsbergen, was therefore studied and correlated with the material from the

Finnmark Platform. Thirty-eight samples were collected and analysed from the ca. 260 m of

continental, siliciclastic rocks comprising the Hørbyebreen and Mumien formations. The

palynological assemblages comprises abundant, moderately preserved palynomorphs and are more

diverse than those described by Playford (62/63) from the same area, indicating that more productive

levels can be found in the various sections. The assemblages seem no younger than late Viséan. The

comparative aspect and correlation of the two areas will be presented.

Late Triassic (late Carnian – Rhaetian) megaspores and associated

palynofloras of the Kapp Toscana Group on Hopen, Svalbard

Archipelago

Niall W. Paterson 1 *, Peter H. Morris 2 & Gunn Mangerud 1

1 Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5020 Bergen, Norway

2 Microstrat Services, Southcott, Buckland Brewer, Bideford, Devon EX39 5LU, UK

* Corresponding author (e-mail: niall.paterson@uib.no)

The island of Hopen represents an excellent stratigraphic reference locality for the Upper Triassic

succession in the Barents Sea area. The island is located in the southeastern-most corner of Svalbard

and is composed entirely of Upper Triassic strata of the Kapp Toscana Group, including in ascending

stratigraphic order, the De Geerdalen, Flatsalen and Svenskøya formations. The sedimentology and

palynostratigraphy of Hopen has been well documented by previous studies, with the latter correlated

to regional zones and calibrated by an early Norian ammonoid fauna from the Flatsalen Formation. In

contrast, there is very little documentation of Triassic megaspores in the region, with the only

published account restricted to specimens recovered from a single ex situ sample discovered on the

SW coast of the island. Despite its vague provenance, this sample has been extensively described by

previous authors, yielding a single megaspore taxon, Triletes hopeniensis, in association with

autochthonous roots and stems of bennettitaleans and lycopsids, and the parautochthonous leaves,

sporangia, spores and pollen of pteridophytes and gymnosperms.

The present study aims to document the stratigraphical distribution of megaspores through the Upper

Triassic succession on Hopen using in situ samples, and to integrate this with the existing

palynological, palaeobotanical and micropalaeontological data. Megaspore assemblages from the De

Geerdalen Formation were dominated mainly by Dijkstraisporites beutleri and Echitriletes spp., with

localised influxes of Nathorstisporites aff. hopliticus. Such assemblages correspond with the

dominance of the fern spore Leschikisporis aduncus and the sphenopsid Calamospora tener in

palynological preparations. The micro-biofacies evidence from the formation is generally consistent

with the previously inferred fluvio-deltaic palaeoenvironment. However, the intermittent presence of

marine elements, including agglutinated foraminifera and sponge spicules, may be indicative of

shallow marine or prodeltaic deposition, therefore suggesting a greater variation in palaeoenvironment

than was previously supposed. Megaspores were notably absent in assemblages from the uppermost

De Geerdalen Formation (Hopen Member) and the overlying Flatsalen Formation. The latter were

found to be dominated by agglutinated foraminifera, and support previous interpretations of a shallow

marine depositional environment, as indicated by the dominance of the dinoflagellate cyst

Rhaetogonyaulax rhaetica. A marked change in the micro-biofacies was observed within the overlying

Svenskøya Formation, including an increase in phytoclasts and the super-abundant occurrence of

megaspores including Dijkstraisporites beutleri, Verrutriletes preutilis and V. utilis. This corresponds

to the dominance of fern spores in palynological preparations, similar to the association noted in the

De Geerdalen Formation. Collectively, the micro-biofacies evidence is considered as indicative of a

delta-plain peat-mire environment, and is generally consistent with earlier interpretations.

The results of this investigation complement the previous palynological and palynofacies analyses,

and contribute to a growing understanding of the palaeoenvironments in the region during the Late

Triassic. This study provides the first in situ record of Triassic megaspores on Svalbard and therefore

offers important new data concerning the Triassic plant communities of the northern Pangaea.

Integrated Early Triassic silici‐clastic palynostratigraphy and XRF

analysis of the Alta‐Gohta wells on the Loppa High, Barents Sea

Marianne Ask, Applied Petroleum Technology (APT)*

Ingar Throndsen, Lundin Norway*

Emails: Marianne.Ask@aptec.no and Ingar.Throndsen@lundin‐norway.no

The Gohta and Alta discoveries in PL492 and PL609 on the southern part of the Loppa High in the

Barents Sea were made by Lundin Norway in 2013 (7120/1‐3) and 2014 (7220/11‐1) respectively.

The reservoirs consist of Triassic silici‐clastics ('Permo‐Triassic' conglomerate), Permian karstified

carbonate deposits (Ørn Fm.) and mixed carbonates and silici‐clastics of Carboniferous age (Falk

Fm.).

They are formed as a result of uplift, tilting, erosion and karstification of pre‐ Triassic rocks followed

by irregular infill and transgressive onlap of Triassic silici‐clastic deposits.

Dating of the reservoir deposits above the Base Triassic unconformity is difficult as they have

different sources (some carbonate, some silici‐clastic and some combinations). They have different

sediment directions and some probably represent isolated sub basins while others represent

amalgamated fan deltas.

The source of sediment of these conglomeratic deposits is partly Permian and Carboniferous

carbonates (Ørn and Falk Formations) which are partly karstified with caves filled in by younger

material, silici‐clastics of the Falk Formation, partly Lower Paleozoic sandstones (Ugle and Billefjord

Gp.) and basement.

The 'status' of the fossils (in situ, reworked, reworked cave fill) and the type of fossils all has to be

taken into consideration when interpreting the fossil data. Is there any pattern that might help to

distinguish or subdivide the conglomeratic deposit?

Micropaleontology, palynology and XRF analyses have been carried out. Sampling is critical and to

achieve as reliable dating as possible and be able to solve the in situ versus reworking status of the

fossils it is important to know what lithology your samples come from.

A palynostratigraphic zonation of the lower part of the Triassic (Kobbe, Klappmyss, Havert

Formations and the' Permo‐Triassic' conglomerate) and correlation between selected wells will be

presented together with photographs of typical palynological assemblages.

Integrated automated mineralogical (QEMSCAN) analysis and

biostratigraphic study of the Permo‐Carboniferous sequences

on the Loppa High, Barents Sea

Jawad Afzal 1 *, Dean Rigby 1 *, Barbara Rich1 and Mike Charnock2

1 Robertson, Llandudno, North Wales LL30 1SA, United Kingdom

2 Lundin Norway, Strandveien 4, PO Box 247, N‐1326 Norway

Emails (*presenters): Jawad.Afzal@CGG.com and Dean.Rigby@CGG.com

Automated mineralogical (QEMSCAN) analyses and micropalaeontological studies of the same thin

sections (T/S) together with selective palynological analyses have proved invaluable in

understanding the pre‐Triassic sequences of Lundin Norway's recent oil discoveries (Alta, Gohta and

Neiden) on the Loppa High, Barents Sea, in terms of age, facies and reservoir quality.

The Permo‐Triassic (P‐Tr) boundary on the Loppa High is an angular unconformity and the underlying

strata dip at an angle of approximately 12°, whereas the overlying Triassic is a near‐horizontalsequence. Below the P‐Tr unconformity, the units that subcrop a complex basal

conglomerate vary in a broadly west to east pattern. Metamorphosed 'Basement' in the west and north

e.g. 7220/11‐2 (Alta) gives way to Carboniferous ‐ Lower Permian Gipsdalen Group, consisting of

either predominantly mixed silici‐clastics and carbonates (e.g. Falk Formation) in e.g. 7220/11‐1 (Alta

Discovery well) or predominantly thick carbonates (e.g. Ørn Formation) in e.g. 7220/11‐3, and then

to the Bjarmeland Group and more siliceous Upper Permian Tempelfjorden Group in e.g. 7120/1‐3

(Gohta) in the south and east, where the P‐Tr unconformity passes laterally into a correlatable

conformity off‐structure and eastwards over large areas of the Barents Sea e.g. 7130/4‐1 (Ørnen).

Significantly, on the Loppa High, in the area of these discoveries, all the above‐named units may lie

within the oil zone, i.e. above the oil‐water contact (OWC), so an understanding of the stratigraphic

relationships, reservoir characteristics and potential of each unit is very important.

'Hotshot' QEMSCAN analyses of core chips, sent directly from the rig, or core rounds (prior to

conventional slabbing) provided an important 'heads up', allowing the sub‐unconformity geology to

be deduced. This permitted real‐time determination of the optimum placement of sidetracks during

the G & G decision‐making process, prior to detailed studies of the cores being performed.

The study area is characterised by a complex sub‐surface geology, where karst features are

developed within the carbonates. The apparent ‘conflicts’ between host Permian carbonate

microfacies and 'contradictory' Triassic palynomorphs sourced from karst infill units have been

resolved, giving meaningful data to deduce the geology. Within the Ørn carbonates are a series of

micro‐biofacies that have been deduced from the thin section analyses that suggest both vertical

and lateral palaeoenvironmental trends and positions relative to the main reef builders: bryozoans

and Palaeoaplysina. Superimposed on the complex geology are Permo‐Carboniferous climatic and

sea level changes, and rapid lateral microfacies changes of extinct biotic groups, such as the fusulinid

foraminifera. With theworld suffering 90% mass extinction at the end of the Permian, this gives a

geological ‘puzzle' as challenging as the most difficult cryptic crossword or murder mystery 'who‐dunnit'!

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on ongoing project work related to the Gohta (Pl492) and Alta (Pl609) field

appraisal programme by Lundin Norway and their respective licence partners.

Lundin Norway and Robertson CGG are thanked for permission to publish results and data from

selected released wells.

The evolution of the Triassic bivalve Daonella into Halobia in the

Botneheia Formation of Svalbard, a sedimentological and

palaeoenvironmental interpretation.

Nina Bakke Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim

Email address: ninabakk@stud.ntnu.no

The Svalbard Triassic succession represents an uplifted section of a broad epicontinental shelf at the

north-eastern margin of Pangea. The Botneheia Fm. of the Middle Triassic is an carbon-rich

bituminous shale, which records a second order transgressive−regressive cycle. The deterioration of

oxygen levels in the bottom waters of the open shelf environment and widespread preservation of

organic material, makes the Botneheia Fm. an important source rock in the region, containing up to

12 % organic carbon.

The anoxic/oxic bottom environment switching events that occurred during the deposition of the

uppermost part of the Botneheia Fm., the Blanknuten Mb., are reflected in the marine fauna; abrupt

mass mortality events are represented by marine reptilian bone fragments hosted in coquina shell beds,

dominated by the bivalve Daonella. These events are closely followed by periods of oxygenated

waters, a flourishing Thalassinoides tracefossil assemblage interbedded with thin fossil-free

laminations.

Daonella were remarkably widely distributed across the Tethys, Panthalassa and Boreal regions and

therefore serve as an excellent index fossils. The evolution of Daonella into Halobia, marking the

Ladinian-Carnian boundary is well documented however the systematics are incoherent. In addition

to this, the mode of life for the Daonella is still disputed. They have been interpreted as

pseudoplanktonic, nektonic and epibenthic chemosymbionts, amongst several other theories.

Detailed field observations and measurements of the Botneheia Fm. were collected by the author in

2015 and 2016 as a part of the Svalbard Triassic Research Group, a cooperation between NTNU and

UNIS. A total of 18 sections in central and eastern Svalbard were logged and sampled for fossil

content. Numerous samples of different species of the bivalve Daonella where taken throughout each

section, as well as other fossils, including ammonoids.

Fossil material from the 2015/2016 field season has helped to refine the halobiid biostratigraphical

scheme on Svalbard and suggests a reclining epibenthic mode of life on soft, soupy sediments, in oxic

to dysoxic milieus. Samples of Daonella collected for this study have been compared to images of

holotypes and identified specimens from various museum collections. Species identification and age

estimates have contributed to a better understanding of facies dependence and shed light on the causes

for change in paleoenvironment within the Botneheia Fm. Unidirectional orientation in Daonella

indicates the presence of currents on the sea floor which is in support of the theory of a Triassic

upwelling zone along the north-eastern shelf edge of Pangea during the Middle Triassic.

Interregional correlation of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous

Kimmeridge Clay Formation: an integrated approach (bio-, cyclo- and

chemostratigraphy) and palaeoclimatic implications

Holly E. Turner1*, Andy Gale1, Felix Gradstein2 and Sietske Batenburg3

1School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.

2Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway.

3University of Oxford, Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford, UK

*Corresponding author and presenter: holly.turner@port.ac.uk

The latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous interval was characterised by a number of carbon cycle

perturbations. The simultaneous occurrence of these events offer precise tie-points in

chemostratigraphic correlation across broad distances, however, their temporal and geographic extent

are poorly understood. This is due to a scarcity of high resolution records and difficulties in correlation

because of faunal provincialism and insufficiently constrained chronostratigraphy. We identify and

correlate a number of isotope excursions from several biostratigraphically-constrained organic carbon-

isotope records from the Norwegian Continental Shelf with the Kimmeridgian‒Tithonian (Upper

Jurassic) Kimmeridge Clay Formation of the Dorset type area, and with Late Tithonian‒Berriasian

(Upper Jurassic‒Lower Cretaceous) records of Svalbard and Siberia. Our regional-scale correlation

reflects the consistency of the C-isotope signal in the seas of north-western Europe at the time of

deposition, and a high correlation potential across significant distances.

Precise correlation is critical for stratigraphic fidelity and for assessing the nature of widespread

organic matter deposition. Whereas physical properties or biostratigraphic data alone usually do not

allow precise correlation, our integrated approach enables us to identify and correlate synchronous

events amongst inter-regional sections. Time series analyses of TOC records from two wells reveal

cycles that strongly resemble those of the 405-kyr and 100-kyr eccentricity components recorded in

Dorset. Correlation to the cyclostratigraphic framework of Dorset provides independent support of our

age model, which provides a basis for understanding the timing and extent of Late Jurassic climate

change. As the clay mineral kaolinite is deposited in humid environments, the Late Jurassic climatic

shift from warm–dry conditions is suggested by its abundance. Tracing this shift across a Boreal–High

Boreal transect may show a broad perspective of the timing of this event, and the relationship to a

presented 𝛿13Corg stack of the studied wells.

Funding bodies: This project is funded by NORLEX, the Geologic TimeScale Foundation and Lundin

Norway. Thanks to Lundin Norway for permission to publish data and results.

Micropalaeontology of Middle Jurassic – Early Cretaceous

hydrocarbon seeps in Svalbard and comparison with assemblages in

SW Barents Sea. Hanna Rosa Hjalmarsdottir 1 * and Claudia Cetean 2

1 The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), PO box 156 N‐9171, Longyearbyen [*presenter],

email: HannaRosa.Hjalmarsdottir@UNIS.no

2 Robertson CGG Llandudno, North Wales, LL30 1 SA, United Kingdom

Onshore Spitsbergen, hydrocarbon seep carbonate structures in the Agardhfjellet Formation have been

sampled and processed for foraminiferal study, and found to contain excellently preserved

agglutinated assemblages, in contrast to the diagenetically deformed assemblages in the adjacent

shales, previously reported from Svalbard.

The pristine condition of the foraminiferal tests allows for detailed morphological documentation of

21 species, and proposal of a new species Labrospira discus. The foraminifera date the hydrocarbon

seeps as Early Cretaceous, Berriasian (Late Volgian – Late Ryazanian), and the ages for each seep

structure are constrained by diverse ammonite faunas.

The pristine preservation of the foraminiferal assemblages indicates that the preservation of the

material took place in‐situ, and that the precipitation of carbonate led to early cementation of the

sediment, protecting the foraminiferal tests from compression and deformation.

The agglutinated assemblage from shales surrounding the carbonate seep bodies, are closely related

or identical to species previously reported from Spitsbergen, the Barents Sea and Siberia. Close

similarities are also observed with species from elsewhere in Spitsbergen, the North‐American Arctic

and the North Sea. The shale assemblage contains a foraminiferal assemblage that ranges from Middle

Jurassic (Early Callovian) ‐ Early Cretaceous, Berriasian (late Ryazanian). This assemblage can be

compared with Lundin Norway well 7120/2‐3 S (Skalle gas discovery) on the southern margin of the

Loppa High, SW‐ Barents Sea. The foraminiferal assemblages in this well are better preserved than

the Svalbard shale assemblages, but an unconformity is observed between Late Jurassic (Late – Middle

Kimmeridgian) and Early Cretaceous (Early Barremian).

One of the goals of this project is to compare and contrast the assemblages from Svalbard and SW‐Barents Sea where possible, in terms of biostratigraphy, palaeoecology, and palaeoenvironments.

Identification of biostratigraphic events will aid in the integration with sequence stratigraphy of the

Lower Cretaceous successions on the Barents shelf will be made, as well as palynological studies and

carbon isotope studies.

Acknowledgements

This project is sponsored by LoCrA – Lower Cretaceous basin studies in the Arctic.

Lundin Norway and Robertson CGG are thanked for permission to publish results and data from SW

Barents Sea well 7120/2‐2 S.

A comparison of bulk versus compound specific C-isotope and

palynological data from core 7128/12-U-01: implications for the use of

C-isotope chemostratigraphic correlation of the Permian-Triassic

boundary interval on the Barents shelf.

E.E. van Soelen1, F. Peterse2, W.M. Kürschner1

1University of Oslo, Department of Geosciences, 0371 Oslo

2University of Utrecht, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands

The end Permian biotic crisis is one of the most severe extinction events in the history of the earth. A

carbon isotope shift near the Permian-Triassic boundary is an important global stratigraphical tool,

showing a negative shift of 5-10‰ over the late Permian extinction phase. However, most records

displaying this shift are based bulk carbon isotope values. Since the start of the extinction is

characterized in many marine settings by the onset of anoxia, it coincides with a sharp increase in

marine derived organic matter. Such a change in palynofacies affects also the δ13CTOC record.

Compound, specific isotope analysis (CSIA) can help to improve the δ13C curve and help to estimate

the size of the atmospheric carbon-isotope shift, which is thought to result from CO2 release by a large

ingenous province (LIP) in Siberia. However, the high maturity, for example of sedimentary OM in

the PT boundary of Spitsbergen (such as studied in the Deltadalen core) hampers lipid biomarker

work, especially if oil has migrated into the study section. We present data from low mature sediments

covering the late Permian to Early Triassic from Finnmark platform cores core 7128/12-U-01 and

7129. Long chain n-alkanes (C25-C35) show a strong odd-over-even dominance, and the alkanes

likely derive from the leave-waxes of higher terrestrial plants. CSIA shows two shifts in the carbon

isotope curve of long chain alkanes, like the bulk record which exists mainly of terrestrial OM. The

short chain alkanes, likely algae derived, show only one negative shift. The terrestrial lipid C isotope

record may be biased by vegetation changes due to climate and/or environmental changes. Three

groups of vegetation at the time may have contributed leaf waxes, the lycopsids, pteridosperms and

conifers. Changes in relative abundances of these three groups have been found in earlier studies and

may explain the difference between the terrestrial and marine alkane based C-isotope records. We

conclude from the current study that the marine C-isotope records represents better the global

perturbation in the isotope composition of the atmospheric C reservoir.

Palynological characterization of the the Carnian Pluvial Episode in

the British Keuper (Late Triassic) Viktória Baranyi1, Wolfram M. Kürschner1

1 Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo

The generally arid Late Triassic climate in NW Europe was interrupted by a wet phase during the

Carnian termed Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE). The palynological analyses across Europe have shown

a shift towards hygrophyte vegetation with the increase of ferns, equisetaleans, cycads and

Bennettitales. Aulisporites astigmosus is the pollen grain of the Bennettitalean Williamsonianthus

keuperianus and is considered to be an important regional stratigraphic marker during the CPE in NW

Europe and the Tethyan realm. The widespread distribution of the species in the Julian was among the

key arguments for the global scale of the CPE and the synchronicity of the humid climatic phase.

Four successions within the Mercia Mudstone Group (MMG) in the SW UK (Devon, Somerset) were

studied in order to trace the Aulisporites acme within the British Keuper. Our new palynological data

could not prove the occurrence of the Aulisporites astigmosus acme in the studied age-equivalent

sections. The species was recorded only in few samples and in low abundance. In addition, the

quantitative palynological record from the British Keuper suggests the predominance of the xerophyte

floral elements throughout the whole CPE. The xerophytes are composed of conifer and seed fern

pollen, which are considered to represent the regional pollen rain from the hinterlands.

The pollen Aulisporites has been considered to be highly facies dependent confined to depositional

settings adjacent to the habitat of the parent plant. Bennettitales grew in warm lowlands and preferred

deltaic settings explaining the high abundance of the species in the fluvial-deltaic Schilfsandstein

depositional area in Central Europe and in the Tethyan realm which had connection to deltaic facies.

By contrast, the British Keuper is characterized by lacustrine facies especially in the successions from

the Devon coastal area. The succession in Somerset with stronger fluvial influence contains more A.

astigmosus. However, the abundance of the species still fails to reach the frequency characteristic for

the Schilfsandstein. The occurrences in Devon are confined to isolated thin greenish-grey layers within

a playa-lake succession with red mudstones. These occurrences represent local wet environments e.g.,

ponds and marshes where the parent plants of A. astigmosus together with other hygrophyte plants

found a preferable habitat. In the longer lacustrine successions the palynological assemblages are

biased towards the regional pollen rain. The bias towards regional pollen rain is further enhanced by

the potential increase in continental runoff related to more humid conditions during the CPE.

The lack of A. astigmous acme in the British Keuper supports the strong facies control of this marker

species. It can be applied for correlation only between similar depositional settings (fluvial-deltaic and

marine).

52 More Things you should know about Palaeontology

Alex Cullum, Statoil, Svanholmen 8, Forus, Norway

In 2014 we published a book that contained 52 short essays on a wide range of paleontological

subjects. It’s an entertaining read and easy to pick up and enjoy in short chunks or as a longer

exploration. We received much feedback, most of it positive, though some didn’t like that it couldn’t

cover all the major fossil groups. Our response was that we hadn’t set out to create a text book and

that we chose the essays by how interesting and fun they were to read rather than trying to cover a

logical plan or curriculum. However, the only real solution was to start building another book and

collect even more stories to further showcase the thrill that so many palaeontologists experience from

their work and the unbridled enthusiasm this builds for their chosen studies. At the end of all this, we

still haven’t covered everything, sorry. Maybe next time.

52 more essays on palaeontology takes us on a discovery journey through animal kingdoms and

paleaogeography to reveal a wide range of characters. From the fantastic re-discovery of tiny

Palaeocene frogs in the middle of Bombay, to Balearic Mouse Goats, snakes with four legs, and the

beautiful insects preserved in Cretaceous amber. It illustrates how far our analytical techniques, based

on indirect information have developed by contrasting the legend of the Virgin Mary ascending a

vertical rock face in Portugal with the exciting application of the rapidly developing field of extracting

genomic information from extant organisms. In the Carboniferous, it takes us out on a swim in a

shrimp-infested and thermally-stratified freshwater lake, and a walk through arborescent swamp

forests conquered by lycophyte. According to one of the contributors, you don’t even have to get out

of your mother-in-law’s shower to study some of the world’s finest palaeontology.

Agile Libre is a small independent publisher of technical books in Nova Scotia,Canada. These books

are part of a series, others include: 52 ThingsYou Should Know About Geophysics, 52 Things You

Should Know About Geology, and 52 Things You Should Know About Rock Physics. The publisher

has a passion is for sharing, so the books are openly licensed, inexpensive to buy and a sum from each

sale goes to a range of geological education funds, see each of the book backs for more details.

You’ll find them for sale at agilelibre.com and on Amazon’s various stores worldwide. Get in touch

with Kara at Agile if you would like the full set or multiple copies at a discounted price.

In this presentation and poster session I’ll try and give some highlights of the series so far and

showcase some of the many brilliant authors who have been involved with these books.

https://www.agilelibre.com https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0987959476

Day 2 Wednesday 28th September 2017

The Geologic Time Scale 2016 - Why, How and Where Next Felix M. Gradstein1, James Ogg2 and Gabi Ogg3 1. University of Oslo, Norway and SEES, Portsmouth, UK

2. Purdue University, West Lafayette IN 47907, USA

3. 1224 Salisbury, West Lafayette IN 47906, USA

A standardized geologic time scale is the framework for deciphering and understanding the long and

complex history of our planet Earth. A Concise Geologic Time Scale 2016 proposes 25, mostly minor,

updates relative to Geologic Time Scale 2012 (GTS2012). Age changes are the result of updated stage

boundary definition or improved age dating and orbital tuning.

Calibration to linear time of the succession of events recorded in the rocks on Earth has three

components:

(1) The standard stratigraphic divisions and their correlation in the global rock record,

(2) The means of measuring linear time or elapsed durations from the rock record, and

(3) The methods of effectively joining the two scales, the stratigraphic and the linear one.

Over 65% of international stratigraphic divisions and their correlative events are

now standardized, using the GSSP (Global Stratigraphic Section and Point) concept.

The radiometric (U-Pb and Ar/Ar) and orbital tuning methods are becoming better calibrated, and

external error analysis improved. The Earth Time and GTS Next Projects are vital contributors.

Resolution of age dating exceeds that of biochronology, but not of orbital tuning.

Selected examples will be given of progress and issues with the GTS. The ultimate goal is an orbitally

tuned GTS for Cenozoic (done) and Mesozoic, with partial application in Paleozoic Periods. The

Precambrian scale is a major challenge, awaiting change from a geochronology to a

chronostratigraphy.

Tired of drawing time scales by hand? Use the Time Scale Creator software!

References: GTS2016 = Ogg, J.G., Ogg, G.M. and Gradstein, F.M., 2016. A Concise Geologic Time Scale 2016. Elsevier Publ. Co., 234 p.

GTS2012 = Gradstein, et al., 2012. The Geologic Time Scale 2012. Elsevier Publ. Co., 1174 p. (2 volumes book).

The Late Jurassic – earliest Early Cretaceous J Sequences of the northern

North Sea

Robin Dyer. GeoStrat Consultants Limited

Publications in 1993 of the J Sequences of the northern North Sea are considered almost 25 years on

in the context of regional stratigraphic knowledge and alternative published schemes. The application

of the sequences is presented against biostratigraphic data in a number of key wells in the UK and

Norwegian sectors in order to assess the viability of the scheme and assess its role in the prediction of

reservoir facies and fairways.

Abstract - Evaluation of young sediments west of the Nordland Ridge

Peter Lucas, Manager sedimentology/Reservoir Geology, PetroStrat Ltd, Tan-y-Graig, Conwy, UK,

LL32 8FA

Jozef Dziegielowski, Deputy Exploration Manager, PGNiG Upstream Norway AS, Vestre Svanholmen

4, 4313 Sandnes, Norway

This presentation is about young sediments just to the west of the Nordland Ridge, Northern offshore

Norway. An interval had been identified at around 1500m TVD that had been assumed to be within

the Miocene to Pliocene Kai Formation (~23 to 2.6 million years old) and within which there were

local indications of channel and lobe-like features on the seismic, that swept round the base of the

Nordland Ridge. Logs, a cored interval and cuttings samples were used, together with selected seismic

images. The core contained very silty and commonly sandy mudstones, which were mostly highly

bioturbated, with burrow fabrics consistent with a deeper shelfal setting, an interpretation later

confirmed by microfossil analysis. The cored interval contained no discrete sandstone beds or thinner

sand stringers, but did contain locally sandier mudstones and locally common outsized angular grains

up to pebble sized, which were interpreted as glacial drop-stones. Petrography showed they included

a very wide range of fresh basement clasts, plus angular mudclasts, dolerites, marble, metamorphosed

sandstone, etc. which had also presumably been dropped from floating ice sheets. The interval was

dated, on microfossil evidence, as Quaternary, Early Pleistocene (Gelasian), about 2 million years old,

and coincident with major phases of glaciation. As such the interval was re-assigned as within the

lower part of the Pleistocene Naust Formation, which was around 1200m thick over much of the study

area. These mostly glacially-related sediments dip off the Nordland Ridge in such a way as to suggest

major subsidence was on-going during deposition, and are themselves erosively truncated later in the

Pleistocene; some of the apparent dip off the ridge was therefore tectonic; rather than simply

depositional.

During the last Ice-age glaciers eroded into the shelf down to around 400m water depth (present day)

right to the shelf-edge, and have scoured many features in the sea bed; locally going around, rather

than over, positive features such as islands.

With regards to apparent channels and lobes indicated by the seismic, no discrete sandstones were

identified from logs in any of the basinal study wells, though biostratigraphy did identify intervals rich

in diatoms and sponge spicules. A well to the south, on the flanks of the Nordland Ridge however,

did contain a sand body that again consisted largely of very immature basement material and reworked

sand grains. Its location and composition suggested that it could relate to deposition from a disgorging

sub-glacial channel, perhaps from an ice-sheet scraping over the ridge. Such sediment could flow

down-slope and accumulate in hollows as gravity flows, but in such a setting these are unlikely to have

had sufficient energy to cause much erosion. Some of the irregularities in the seismic could relate to

local ice-nudge or shear on the sea-bed. Clinoforms in the Kai and Lower Naust suggest some of the

sediments built into the area from the south-west, possibly into a relatively sediment-starved area

behind the Nordland Ridge. Later glacial flows may have swept around, rather than simply over, the

Norland Ridge, and these perhaps were periodically grounded, and developed sub-ice channels (later

eskers) on the seabed, which could appear like channels in a turbidite system on seismic.

Integrating palynology and chemostratigraphy for improved dating,

correlation, and sea-level reconstruction: a Cretaceous case study

Ian Jarvis and Kate Olde

Kingston University London

Palynological and geochemical and records are presented for an Upper Cretaceous (Turonian–

Coniacian) hemipelagic core in the central Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. A high-resolution

stratigraphic framework is provided by macrofossil, nannofossil and dinoflagellate cyst

biostratigraphy combined with carbonate (δ13Ccarb) and organic carbon stable-isotope (δ13Corg)

chemostratigraphy. The carbonate and organic carbon isotope profiles show good agreement,

including 12 named carbon isotope events (CIEs), and are correlated to coeval marine and non-marine

isotope records from Europe to North America and Japan. Elemental chemostratigraphy is

demonstrated to offer a means of determining medium- to long-term (0.4 – 2.4 Myr) sea-level trends,

and identifying key transgressive surfaces.

Long-term δ13Corg variation and dinoflagellate cyst species richness are positively correlated and show

similarities to the sea-level curve. Dinocyst species richness closely follows short-term changes in sea

level, with marked increases in dinocyst diversity coincident with most short-term flooding events.

Periods of rapid sea-level rise caused an influx of a more diverse ‘outer shelf’ assemblage into the

study area, together with the addition of shallower water species, some of which may have been

transported into the central basin by hypopycnal flows. Changes in the proportion and abundance of

peridinioid dinoflagellate cysts (principally Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides) were controlled by

changing nutrient levels. Correlation of the Bohemia dinocyst data to the English Chalk provides a

basis for defining a regional dinocyst event stratigraphy with 22 datum levels, and a revised dinocyst

zonation scheme constrained within a chemostratigraphic framework of major CIEs.

A new high resolution mid-Cretaceous palynostratigraphy linking East

Greenland, Barents Sea and southeastern England.

Henrik Nøhr-Hansena, Lucy I. Costab, Martin A. Pearcec and Peter Alsena

a Geological Survey & Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K,

Denmark Phone +45 91 33 37 15, e-mail: hnh@geus.dk.

b St. Davids Lodge, Pandy Tudur, Abergele, Conwy LL22 8UE, United Kingdom,

c Evolution Applied Limited, Horseshoe Lodge, Horseshoe Lake, Little Farringdon, Gloucestershire,

GL7 3QQ, United Kingdom.

High-resolution palyno-biostratigraphical studies of upper Albian to Lower Cenomanian successions

from East Greenland, southwestern Barents Sea and southeastern England have revealed new

dinoflagellate cyst taxa of clear or questioned ovoidinioid affinities. The present study was instigated

by observations reported by Costa (1985) on Early and Late Cretaceous sections from the Barents Sea,

Norwegian Sea and northern North Sea. One of the forms first reported by Costa (1985) became

established as a particularly useful marker species for the Early Cenomanian due to its abundance and

short stratigraphic range. Despite remaining formally undescribed, this species became well known to

biostratigrapers in the oil industry for over 30 years as “Sidridinium borealis”. It has subsequently

been informally recognised in the literature as Ovoidinium? sp. 1 by Nøhr-Hansen (1993, 2012) and

Radmacher et al. (2014) but is now formally described (Nøhr-Hansen et al 2017).

The new genus Sindridinium, and the four new species: Ovoidinium epelidosphaeroides sp. nov,

Epelidosphaeridia manifesta sp. nov, Sindridinium borealis gen. et sp. nov, Sindridinium anaanae

gen. et sp. nov. are illustrated and the short stratigraphic ranges recorded for these taxa are calibrated

to other stratigraphic dinoflagellate cyst markers and ammonites of mid-Cretaceous age.

Costa LI. 1985. The Ascodinium plexus in the latest Albian to earliest Cenomanian offshore Arctic

Norway. In: Third International Conference on Modern and Fossil Dinoflagellates, Egham, August,

1985, Abstracts, unnumbered page.

Nøhr-Hansen H. 1993. Dinoflagellate cyst stratigraphy of the Barremian to Albian Lower

Cretaceous, north-east Greenland. Bulletin Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse 166:171 p.

Nøhr-Hansen H. 2012. Palynostratigraphy of the Cretaceous – lower Palaeogene sedimentary

succession in the Kangerlussuaq Basin, southern East Greenland. Review of Palaeobotany and

Palynology 178:59–90.

Nøhr-Hansen H, Costa LI, Pearce MA, Alsen P. 2017. New Albian to Cenomanian (Cretaceous)

dinoflagellate cysts taxa of ovoidinioid affinities from East Greenland, Barents Sea and England.

Palynology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01916122.2017.1351006

How to use biostratigraphy to enhance exploration and production

activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Natalie Caughtry 1 *, Jim Fenton 1, Anna Rumyantseva 2 and Jaswinder Mann 2

1 CGG Robertson, Llandudno, North Wales LL30 1SA, United Kingdom

2 CGG MCNV, Lilleakerveien 6A, 0216 Oslo, Norway

Emails (*presenter): Natalie.Caughtry@cgg.com

The on-going interpretation of a BroadSeis seismic survey over the Northern Viking Graben, by CGG,

has stimulated various projects to accompany and enhance the seismic dataset. Integration of

geophysics, petrophysics and geology, specifically biostratigraphy, has highlighted the benefits of

such a study that can be used to provide the best possible interpretation of the 3D seismic volume.

Ultimately, this can lead to the de-risking of prospects and determining increased prospectivity.

Biostratigraphic investigation of 50 wells, via the review of varying vintages of data and new analyses,

has resulted in consistent lithostratigraphic and depositional sequence frameworks, leading to the

establishment of a regional stratigraphic framework for the area.

This has been used to support seismic interpretation by enhancing velocity models and age / depth

calibrations, through an iterative process. Subsequently, the project has allowed for better

differentiation and confidence of key seismic reflectors. Biostratigraphic analysis of such a large

number of wells, using seismic as a QC, has led to discovery of interesting stratigraphic case studies,

for example in the Neogene and Late Jurassic.

The project also highlights the pivotal role the NPD data archive (Diskos and palynology slides) plays

in improved interpretation of the subsurface of the Norwegian Continental Shelf, and how legacy data

can be updated and integrated with new.

Core viewing and discussion seminar: Permo‐Triassic sediments in the

Barent Sea: The P‐Tr boundary, biofacies and development of karst

features

When reworkings are 'cavings' how can we predict the stratigraphy? Mike Charnock 1 *

1 Lundin Norway, Strandveien 4, PO Box 247, N‐1326 Norway, macharnock@lundin‐norway.no

Three cored wells covering the Permo‐Triassic boundary, Barents Sea: A session in complex

stratigraphic and depositional relationships inviting active discussion and participation.

This core session attempts to demonstrate some of the results presented in related earlier oral

presentations and to highlight the value of integrated studies of both biostratigraphic analysis and

other techniques and to initiate informal discussions on the potential for biostratigraphers to have

input on important aspects of reservoir development and predictive stratigraphy. Palaeontological

input related to palaeoenvironment and climate are also key in development depositional models.

The three cores chosen show different stratigraphy trends across the Permo‐Triassic (P‐Tr) boundary

in the Barents Sea and pose questions for the participants to try answer.

The core session is therefore not intended to be a passive demonstration but encorages active

participation. The core session also attempts to show aspects the structural evolution of the Loppa

High and the impact of the palaeo‐climate on the development of karst (cave) systems in the pre

boundary succession.

Three cored wells are on display:‐

Core 1: Lundin Norway 7130/4‐1 (Ørnen) from the east Barents Sea. This unique core of 54 m

core

shows the complete P/Tr boundary section and like the equivalent Festingen section on Spitzbergen

shows an abrupt but apparent quiescent facies change from Permian carbonates to Triassic

siliciclastic

sediments. With these two sections one could be be forgiven for considering the boundary to

be spectacular but essentially non‐ prospective from a reservoir point of view. Details of the

biofacies

and sedimentology will be shown of this apparently conformable boundary section. This is a good

example of the value of intergrated biostratigraphy and Qemscan analysis.

• What was the climatic change that controlled this abrupt facies change?

Core 2: Lundin Norway 7220/11‐3 (Alta) from the Loppa High. This core will only have been

releasedearlier in the month (2 September 2017) and therefore this FORCE viewing is a

CONFERENCE FIRST EXCLUSIVE. Only parts of the whole cored interval of 131 m will be

shown covering the unconformable Triassic silici‐clastic sediments resting unconformably upon

Lower Permian carbonates and deep karst features. The cored interval covers the Kobbe to Ørn Fms

interval and a Permo‐Triassic basal conglomerate. This core highlights the value of integrated 'hot

shot' XRF and biostratigraphic studies of core chip ends from the rig to define a preliminary model.

Participant questions:

• How important is it to have integrated studies of cores like these and how does one devise

an effective sampling programme?

• How important are the bio facies controlling porosity and reservoir development?

• How can stratigraphers recognise karst systems?

Core 3: Lundin Norway 7130/1‐3 (Gohta) from the Loppa High.

Sedimentologically and biostratigraphically this is an extremely difficult core of 57m to interpret but

with the participants 'new found knowledge' from the previous two cores, three questions are asked:

• What are the host rocks and karstified intervals and where are the best reservoir facies?

• Why is this core so complex compared with core 1 (7130/4‐1)?

• From a biostratigraphic point of view the question is posed 'How do we recognise cave

• systems in the fossil record when reworked 'cavings' are in situ?

Finally, and a more general question: How should we as biostratigraphers approach the study of

these cores and what are the major problems in attempting to get realistic results?

Acknowledgements

Lundin Norway and PL708, PL609 and PL492 partners are thanked for permission to present these

cores at this FORCE workshop.

PARTICIPANTS PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:‐

1. Participants are asked to assemble in the NPD core viewing reception (across the road from

the Conference Hall) promptly so the group can enter the viewing rooms collectively.

2. We kindly ask participants not to take photographs of the cores or any display data.

1000+ meters of shallow cores in the Northern Barents Sea

Robert Williams

NPD Stavanger Norway

1048 metres of shallow cores in the north-eastern Barents Sea

Following the 2011 ratification of the boundary treaty with Russia, the Norwegian Petroleum

Directorate (NPD) received funds over the government budget for 2D-seismic surveying in the new

areas. Knowledge of the geology in the north-eastern Barents Sea was hitherto limited. Acquiring

shallow cores was therefore crucial for mapping the Norwegian sector along the boundary with

Russia.

Funds were appropriated in the 2015 government budget for shallow drilling, allowing the NPD to

carry out a shallow coring program. The primary area for this work lay 40 to 100 kilometres south-

east and 50 kilometres north of Kvitøya. The NPD drilled seven cores with depths varying from 52

to 200 metres. The objective was to retrieve cores from stratigraphic boundaries which are found

at shallow depths in the survey area. The drillship Bucentaur acquired a total of 1048 metres of

core.

Three diverse assemblages of small foraminifera and fusulinids from shallow core 7933/4-U-3, 43

km south of Kvitøya, show that the oldest carbonates, cherts and calcareous mudstones span the

Carboniferous-Permian boundary, and include the uppermost Gzhelian, Asselian and Sakmarian of

the Ørn Formation. In addition, the same core contains the Permian-Triassic boundary. The

Vikinghøgda Formation in this core consists of grey shales assigned an Early Triassic, Induan,

Olenekian to Late Permian, Late Changhsingian age.

Under the contact with Pleistocene overburden, the borehole drilled north of Kvitøya, 8034/5-U-1,

recovered dolomites of probable Carboniferous age. Palynology and thin section studies have

shown these to be barren.

Core 7933/4-U-1 recovered fifty metres of Anisian and Ladinian shales of the Botneheia Formation,

whereas the remainder of the coring program retrieved a thick succession of Carnian clastics and

Norian shales.

Three laboratories carried out the biostratigraphic analyses: PetroStrat Ltd., Vladimir I. Davydov

and the NPD.

Afternoon Energiser

Alex Cullum

1) Go online with your phone, tablet or laptop.

WiFi or data connection. NPD free guest WiFi (password is on the wall outside the auditorium)

2) GO to the website https://kahoot.it/

3) Entre the pin code I will give you.

4) Entre your name, or just a name we will know you by i.e. Alex

5) When the quiz starts we will all play simultaneously. Multi choice questions should be on the

screen at the front of the hall and on your phone. Pick the right answer/colour as quick as you

can. Points are not just for correct answers, but for speed of answering.

To win you need to answer correctly and answer first.

Good luck!

If you have an old (3+ years old) Android phone, then go to the Google App store and down load the FREE

Kahoots app. Then just install and use that.

https://kahoot.it/

The application of megaspore biostratigraphy to the evaluation of the

Late Triassic – Early Jurassic reservoir sequence in The Johan

Sverdrup Field

Peter H. Morris1

1Microstrat Services, Southcott, Buckland Brewer, Bideford, Devon EX39 5LU, UK:

The sedimentological similarities of the lower reservoir sequence in the Johan Sverdrup Field with

that of the Statfjord Group in the Gullfaks Field has led to a two phase study based on

micropalaeontological/ megaspore analysis of core in key wells across the field. Abundant, well

preserved megaspore assemblages were recovered which confirmed the presence of Statfjord Group

sediments in the lower reservoir, with megaspores and associated palynofloras occurring consistently

in biostratigraphic sequence : four regional megaspore biozones are identified which can be closely

tied to key miospore events across the field :- Erlansonisporites lobatus (Middle – Late Norian),

Verrutriletes utilis (Early Rhaetian), Banksisporites pinguis (Middle – Late Rhaetian) and

Nathorstisporites hopliticus (Early – Middle Hettangian). The stratigraphic value of applying these

biozones to the Statfjord reservoir sequence is demonstrated using selected wells. The

palaeoecological value of megaspore assemblages in characterizing a range of non-marine, delta/braid

plain environments, is also shown to be of value in reservoir modelling.

Despite low recovery levels from of the overlying Jurassic sequence, marine, microfaunal zones can

also be recognized, which used in conjunction with the megaspore scheme, assist in evaluating the

nature of the M. Jurassic, ‘mid-Cimmerian’ unconformity and the extent of erosion of the underlying

reservoir section.

This study of the Johan Sverdrup reservoir shows that a range of microfossil groups including

megaspores can be applied effectively to reduce the stratigraphic uncertainty associated with complex

phases of regressive – transgressive deposition and erosion.

Automatic identification of nannofossil species using convolution

neural networks

Bernard Lee Innova Plex, Inc. blee@innovaplex.com

Wellsite biostratigraphy monitoring using species of fossils as biomarker is important in assessing

stratigraphic information and confirmation of well prognosis. The traditional way of manually

identifying fossils was time-consuming and bias prone. A new automatic identification system using

a miniaturized 5d (x, y, z, and multiple fields of view in different optical modes) fossil slide scanner

has been designed to acquire fossil images remotely and recognize nannofossil species in a fraction of

time. The automatic classification system integrates multiple image processing tools to cookie-cut the

potential fossils and extract the geometry, morphology, and texture of the images. Convolutional

neural networks using YOLO-Darknet hybrid algorithm were used as the pattern recognition method.

We tested a data set that included 35 calcareous nannofossil from Gulf of Mexico. Our results show

that the system performed with high accuracy as long as enough training sets are provided per species,

reaching average of nearly 92% of true positive fossil identifications. The automated process even

with partial training provides a real-time result, which vastly aides in decision making and reduces

cost, time, and safety concerns. Our results highlight how the neural networks are complementary

to traditional fossil species identification.

Another view of your data?

Erik Anthonissen and Alex Cullum, Statoil, Svanholmen 8, Forus, Norway

Data things are moving forward fast and in the geological sciences we’re all working hard to keep

up.

We’ll present some of the new ideas, we’re looking into when we can. We are not presenting this

because we think we’re ahead or that we are in any way the only people trying these things.

However, it’s hard to get permission to present things, harder still to present ideas, things in progress

and stuff you are not sure is even working. This presentation is intended as a way to instigate

discussion, invite future collaboration and help us all to identify what methods and technologies are

going to help us move biostratigraphy forward.

If you’ve seen it all before, then good. If you’re doing all this already even better.