Norwegian Offshore Stratigraphic Lexicon (NORLEX)

Norwegian Offshore Stratigraphic Lexicon
(NORLEX)
Felix M.Gradstein 1 , Erik Anthonissen 1 ,Harald Brunstad 2 ,Mike Charnock 3 ,Oyvind
Hammer 1 ,Terje Hellem 4 and Kjell Sigve Lervik 5
1. University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
2. Lundin Norway, 1366, Lysaker, Norway
3. StatoilHydro, 5020 Bergen, Norway
4. Idemitsu Petroleum, 0213 Oslo, Norway
5. StatoilHydro, 4035 Stavanger, Norway
Abstract
The Norwegian Offshore Stratigraphic Lexicon (NORLEX) provides a relational
stratigraphic database for the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea and Svalbard.
Both regional lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy are being substantially updated,
following guidelines laid out in the International Stratigraphic Guide. The main body of
information developed will be available as a petroleum consortium, oracle database, and
the basic lithostratigraphic definitions as a public domain (paper) document. NORLEX
is presented as a browsing website via the internet at http://www.nhm.uio.no/norlex.
Seismic cross-sections, core photographs, well logs, field outcrops, microfossil
occurrences and other vital attributes are all relationally cross-linked. In addition, there
are menus for instantly finding updated formation and member tops or microfossil
events in all wells, plus a map contouring routine for unit thicknesses and depths.
Introduction
Since the publication of standard lithostratigraphic schemes for the North Sea
and offshore Norway (Deegan & Scull 1977; Vollset & Doré 1984; Dalland et al. 1988;
Isaksen & Tonstad 1989) much new geologic information has accumulated. A lack of
systematic revision and updating has outdated these lithostratigraphic standards.
This situation has led to dissatisfaction by the petroleum geology community
with the existing scheme and nomenclature, involving 95+ formations. In
addition, confusion exists between the concepts of chronostratigraphy and
lithostratigraphy. Well completion reports may list a series of successive formations,
some of which may have a lithology that strongly deviates from the original definition.
It appears that a formation in a well is assigned on perceived age of the interval, and not
on lithology. Hence, lithostratigraphy is confused with chronostratigraphy. A third
important issue is that many siliciclastic (reservoir) units should have formal status as
lithostratigraphic members, and should not be labelled as and used as formations.
These practices have led to a degradation of the quality and use of offshore
lithostratigraphy. It decreases insight in the properties and correlation of the subsurface
sedimentary succession, to the detriment of effective petroleum exploration.
In 2004/2005, an industry consortium assembled at the Geology Museum of the
University of Oslo to improve offshore biostratigraphy, proposed to also focus on long
overdue improvements to the offshore lithostratigraphy. Hence, since 2005, a broadbased
(petroleum industry and government) consortium, led by the Geology Museum is
undertaking a systematic update of the offshore lithostratigraphy. The Project is called
1

NORLEX – Norwegian Offshore Stratigraphic Lexicon. The updated, revised and
expanded lithostratigraphy is organised in a relational (oracle style, MYSQL) database
format, using internet access and browsing facilities. Seismic cross-sections, core
photographs, well logs, field outcrops, microfossils and other vital attributes are all
cross-linked. In addition, there are menus for instantly finding updated formation and
member tops or microfossil events in all wells, plus a map plotting routine.
All formal lithostratigraphic definitions involving groups, formations and
members, generated under auspices of the NORLEX Project conform to the guidelines
of the International Stratigraphic Guide (http://www.nhm.uio.no/norlex; Salvador, ed.,
1994)). NORLEX undergoes standard reviews by national and international experts, and
has verified that new unit names are not pre-occupied. Upon completion of the current
project, the new data will replace the outdated subsurface lithostratigraphic scheme.
Purpose
The purpose of the NORLEX Consortium Project may be summarized as follows:
(a) Improve and update the lithologic definition and description, facies and
paleogeographic setting, microfossil occurrences and dating for the Mesozoic and
Cenozoic groups, formations and members in the existing lithostratigraphic lexicons,
colloquially referred to as the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) Bulletins (#’s
1, 3, 4 and 5). Special attention is given to existing formations or new units that
represent siliciclastic, or a mixture of siliciclastics and carbonate bodies intercalating one
or more formations, and detached from a ‘paleo shore line’. Such units warrant member
status (see Figure 1).
(b) Show detailed distribution of key microfossils in the type and/or reference sections
of the formations and members.
(c) Update the timestratigraphic framework, using the standard international geologic
time scale (Gradstein et al., 2004; Ogg et al., 2008; see also http://www.stratigraphy.org
and http://www.nhm.uio.no/norlex).
(d) Place all existing and new content in a relational (MYSQL) database format, and
provide a GIS interface, also using NPD’s ‘Fakta Siden’ for data and offshore
geography.
(e) Create an interactive web-based interface in full colour, with search menus that
interrogate one or many wells for specific stratigraphic information.
(f) Provide crossing seismic and log displays of type sections.
(g) Make Wheeler-type diagrams of the formation in a regional context.
(h) Link wells sections to digital core photographs of formations.
(i) Produce simplified paleogeographic maps for members, formations or groups.
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Key scientists and conformity
Principal scientists involved in the project, each responsible for a ‘chunk’ of the regional
data and stratigraphic intervals, are:
Neogene - Eric Anthonissen
Paleogene - Harald Brunstad
Cretaceous - Mike Charnock
Jurassic - Terje Hellem
Triassic - Kjell Sigve Lervik (Lervik, 2006).
Felix Gradstein and Oyvind Hammer are responsible for the daily operation of
the project, with Oyvind Hammer being data manager and webmaster.
All formal lithostratigraphic definitions involving groups, formations and
members, generated under auspices of the NORLEX Project conform to the guidelines
of the International Stratigraphic Guide (http://www.nhm.uio.no/norlex; Salvador, ed.,
1994)), and undergo standard reviews by national and international experts. NORLEX
has verified that new unit names are not pre-occupied, for which the Norwegian national
Stratigraphic Committee (NSK) is also involved. Upon completion of the task, the new
data will replace the outdated public scheme.
Administration
Responsible agencies and organisations involved in the NORLEX Project are the
Geology Department in the Natural History Museum of the University of Oslo, NPD,
Norwegian Geological Survey and NSK. Funding and vital scientific input were
provided by Chevron, ENI, Endeavour Energy, RWE-DEA, Norsk Hydro, Idemitsu,
Lundin Norway, ConocoPhillips, Norske Shell and Statoil.
Daily operations, administration, programming and webmaster activities for
NORLEX are in the hands of the Natural History Museum.
Guidelines to Lithostratigraphy
The International Stratigraphic Guide (Salvador ed. 1994), although not updated for
recent developments and practises in chrono-, cyclo-, and sequence stratigraphy, gives
suitable guidelines for the subsurface lithostratigraphic practise followed in NORLEX.
The Guide recognizes that its approach is sufficiently broad and tolerant so that it will
not be found unduly restrictive to anyone in its application to practical problems of
stratigraphy. Nevertheless, its language is slightly arcane, and for those that want a
more targeted guide we recommend ‘Stratigraphical Procedure’ by the Stratigraphy
Commission of the Geological Society, London, UK (Rawson et al. 2002). For those
that miss practical examples we recommend using ‘Stratigraphy - Terminology and
Practise’, initiated by the French Committee on Stratigraphy (Rey & Galeotti eds.,
2008). The best cyclostratigraphic guidebook is ‘Cyclostratigraphy - concepts,
definitions, and applications’ (Strasser, Hilgen & Heckel, 2007). Updated
chronostratigraphy and geochronology is dealt with by Gradstein et al. (2004) and Ogg
et al. (2008). All five studies were executed in close collaboration with, or under direct
auspices of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS).
A commonly heard question is why NORLEX does focus on lithostratigraphy
instead of on sequence stratigraphy. The latter when properly executed, tries to merge
information from litho-,bio-,cyclo-,and chronostratigraphy, sedimentology and
3

seismostratigraphic mapping in a regional depositional framework through time. When
the only tools are seismostratigraphy and well logs sequence stratigraphic interpretations
are often wanting. The first answer to above question is that in Norway lithostratigraphy
is the primary tool for packaging subsurface sedimentary units, and its nomenclature
requires an updated classification, the goal of NORLEX. The second answer is that a
standard set of sequences per basin, with type wells for maximum flooding horizons may
be properly executed once mature information is available from the above mentioned
stratigraphic/sedimentologic subdisciplines + proper seismic mapping. At present there
is no standard sequence stratigraphic framework for subsurface geology on Norwegian
territory. For those that want a good introduction to sequence stratigraphy we refer to the
excellent publications by Coe et al. (2003) and Simmons et al. (2007). Below follow
formal excerpts on the definition and use of lithostratigraphic units.
The formation is the primary formal unit of lithostratigraphic classification used
to map, decsribe and interpret the geology of a (subsurface) region. It is identified by its
lithologic character and stratigraphic position. Formation are the only formal
lithostratigraphic units into which the the stratigraphic column everywhere should be
divided completely on the basis of lithology. The degree of change in lithology to
justify the establishment of distinct formations (or other lithostratigraphic units) is not
amenable to strict and uniform rules. It may vary with the complexity of the region and
the detail needed to portray satisfactorily its rock framework and to work out its geologic
history. Where a unit changes laterally or through abrupt gradation, or intertongues with,
a markedly different kind of rock, a new unit should be proposed for the different rock
type.
A member is the formal lithostratigraphic unit next in rank below a formation,
and is always part of a formation. It is recognized as a named entity within a formation
because it possesses lithologic properties distinguishing it from adjacent parts of the
formation. No fixed standard is required for the extent or thickness of a member.
Formations may or may not be partly or completely divided in members. A member may
extend from one formation to another.
The assignment of new members to an existing formation, or changing an
existing formation to a member follows the same procedures as for proposing a new
unit. Change in rank of a stratigraphic unit does not require redefinition of the unit or of
its boundaries, or alteration of the geographic part of its name. Thus, a formation may be
raided to a group or reduced to a member without changing its name. Redefinition may
be justified to make a unit more useful or easier to recognize, map, and extend
throughout the area of its occurrence.
The type section of a layered unit serves as the standard of reference for the
definition and charaterisation of the unit. In subsurface work, because of caving in drill
holes, it is generally best to define such arbitrary boundaries at the highest occurrence of
a particular rock type rather than at the lowest.
The terms ‘lower’, ‘middle’ and ‘upper’ should not be used for formal
subdivision of lithostratigraphic units. The use of both the lithologic term and the unitterm
(e.g. Kimmeridge Clay Formation) should be discouraged.
Overview of traditional lithostratigraphy
An overview of a majority of formations (95+ units) that have been traditionally in use
offshore Norway is in figures 2 and 3. These regions include southern and northern
North Sea, the Norwegian Sea offshore mid Norway and Barents Sea. In these figures,
4

where possible, the maximum local range of a formation is shown, and the approximate
chronostratigraphic position of its type well.
The units have a definition of their lower stratigraphic boundary. Several
formations are little more than chronostratigraphic ‘garbage cans’, essentially without
agreed-upon content. Examples are the Lange Formation (Cretaceous) and the Brygge
Formation (Tertiary). Much improved geographic coverage and stratigraphic resolution
in regional mapping and fossil zonation is helping to rectify such practice.
In this connection it should be noted that understandably petroleum industry
focus is on mapping and stratigraphic reconnaissance of the hydrocarbon reservoir units,
i.e. sands and limestones. This tends to make an offshore lithostratigraphic framework a
bit like inverted ‘Emmenthaler’ cheese. The holes, represented in our analogy by sands,
are best known, with the surrounding shales (cheese) given less stratigraphic attention.
A special focus in NORLEX is the concept that assigns reservoir sands
lithostratigraphic Member status, taken into account their almost universally limited,
non-contiguous mappability. Another item of research is the fact that geologic
provenance and mappability, rather than national territorial limits should control
formation naming. Frequently, reference is made to a ‘Forties’ etc. equivalent unit across
territorial limits, obscuring realistic lithostratigraphic content and meaning. Although it
is unlikely that the current project will find a universally acceptable solution to these
awkward ‘political’ practices, more and better data help to shine light on these questions.
Lithostratigraphy template
In order to facilitate standardized reporting of current and new information we attach a
lithostratigraphic template (Appendix), which also may be downloaded from the
NORLEX website. All lithostratigraphic information is being adapted to this scheme,
making extensive use of color graphics.
NORLEX lithostratigraphy
Tables 1 through 4 show the NORLEX lithostratigraphic units with their type and
reference well intervals for the Cenozoic, Cretaceous and Jurassic of the North Sea. If
we keep in mind that a key objective is to properly ‘stratify’ many siliciclast reservoir
units as members, instead of formations, the new scheme is easily understood. Many
traditional units were emended and lithologically and stratigraphically clarified.
For the Cenozoic of the North Sea, the traditional scheme has 3 groups and 18
formations, whereas the new scheme has 4 groups (including one emended), 10
formations and 20 members; 15 of these formations were redefined as members, with 5
members being new units. The Utsira and Skade Formations, discussed in Rundberg &
Eidvin (2005), have been redefined as members, and have been subject of further
investigation (Anthonissen 2008, 2009).
For the Cretaceous of the North Sea, the traditional scheme has 2 groups and 15
formations, versus 3 groups, 14 formations and 7 members in the new scheme.
The Jurassic of the North Sea traditionally has 9 groups and no less than 42
formations, whereas the new classification has 6 groups, 30 formations and 17 members,
and is more easily understood, and more practical. Table 3a shows the Jurassic
formations in their broad chronostratigraphic context.
The Triassic of the North Sea used to have 1 group and 3 formations, and now 1
group and 4 formations, with details also in Lervik (2006).
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Tables 5, 6 and 7 show the NORLEX lithostratigraphic units with their type and
reference well intervals for the Cenozoic, Cretaceous and Jurassic of the Norwegian Sea,
offshore mid Norway. For mid Norway the lithostratigraphic changes are pronounced in
the Cretaceous, where much new geologic territory was explored in the last two decades,
but novel stratigraphic studies lagged behind. Here the traditional and meagre
Cretaceous classification has 2 groups and 6 formations, with the much improved new
classification showing 2 groups (one emended), 6 formations and no less than 15 new
members. The latter creates order out of chaos among siliciclastic units.
The Cenozoic off mid Norway used to have 3 groups and 5 formations, with the
new classification containing 3 groups, 5 formations and 2 members.
The Jurassic off mid Norway used to have 3 groups and 10 formations, versus
the new classification 3 groups, 10 formations and 3 members. The Spekk Formation is
redefined as Spekk Member under the Draupne Formation. There is no stratigraphic
reason why the Draupne Formation s.l. cannot be extended from the North Sea up into
the Barents Sea. The Draupne unit is stratigraphically and facies wise related to the
Kimmeridge Clay in the UK, the Egret Formation off eastern Canada, the Nupra
Formation in the Himalayas, etc. The Melke Formation is redefined as Melke Member
under the Heather Formation.
For the Barents Sea the existing lithostratigraphy has been digitized on the
NORLEX website, but not been subjected to emendation. W.K.Dallmann kindly gave
the NORLEX Project permission to create an interactive, web-based version of the
magnificient ‘Lithostratigraphic Lexicon of Svalbard’ (Dallmann ed., 1999), which can
be found under the button ‘Svalbard’ on the NORLEX website.
An effective manner to display and interrogate lithostratigraphic information is
through the use of schematic, regional stratigraphic overviews, resembling Wheeler-type
diagrams. Such diagrams maybe found on the NORLEX website for the Neogene,
Paleogene, Cretaceous and Jurassic of the North Sea, and Norwegian Sea (see Figures 4
through 7). Each lithostratigraphic name is an active button to further search and
information, using seismic cross-sections, core photographs, well logs, field outcrops,
microfossils and other vital attributes. All information is cross-linked. In addition, there
are menus for instantly finding updated formation and member tops or microfossil
events in all wells, plus a sophisticated map plotting routine, displaying regional unit
thickness.
NORLEX biostratigraphy
Despite the fact that hydrocarbon exploration offshore Norway has been ongoing for half
a century, there is a severe shortage of applied biostratigraphic information in the public
domain. There is not even a simple atlas of all relevant microfossil taxa, and too many
taxa do not have proper taxonomic names. Also, the ‘Fakta Siden’ of the Norwegian
Petroleum Directorate at www.npd.no do not show regional standard microfossil
biozonations to underpin and complement the public domain and formal
lithostratigraphy.
Although it is understood that wellsite application of regional biozonations with
shelly and organic walled microfossils can be proprietary and competitive science items,
much benefit is derived from a public domain regional standard biozonation with proper
documentation of taxa. Such a public document enhances the standard and quality of
regional biostratigraphy, and stabilizes regional correlations.
The NORLEX project has an extensive biostratigraphy section, with ample
attention to the few biozonations published for offshore Norway. Also, search menus
6

were created in NORLEX using a regional microfossil dictionary derived from many
wells, now with over 10000 fossil names. There also is a search routine in the wells for
microfossil ‘tops’, or for the interval in each well between two such ‘tops’.
NORLEX website
The front page of the NORLEX Project internet website at
http://www.nhm.uio.no/norlex is shown in figure 8, with data and search menus to the
left of the actual geographic map. The map itself and the stratigraphic column are all
mouse-over items and clickable. For example, when a user selects the purple area named
‘Offshore Mid Norway’ on the map, this opens two windows, one with key cultural data
for the previously published (Table 1), and one with the new and traditional NORLEX
lithostratigraphic units. Each of the cells in the table again is clickable for search after
further information. Seismic cross-sections, core photographs, well logs, field outcrops,
microfossil occurrences and other vital attributes are all cross-linked. In addition, there
are menus for instantly finding updated formation and member tops or microfossil
events in all wells, plus an online routine for finding formation bases and tops.
One of the special features on the website is the contouring-map fascility, as
displayed in figure 9. It shows the thickness of the Rogaland Group in the Oseberg-Troll
area, generated online. Circled wells contain base and top of the group, red wells contain
biostratigraphy. The map can be customized, and the wells are clickable to reveal
cultural and stratigraphic details.
The main body of NORLEX information is available as a user supported,
interactive database. Once reviews are completed, the basic lithostratigraphic definitions
will become available as a public domain document.
Acknowledgements
The NORLEX Project, that is ongoing to completion, is being made possible through the
financial and scientific contributions by the Norwegian operations of Chevron,
ENI, Endeavour Energy, RWE-DEA, Norsk Hydro, Idemitsu, Lundin Norway,
ConocoPhillips, Norske Shell and Statoil. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate
provided detailed access to its wealth of cultural and science technical data in and behind
the ‘Fakta Siden’. The International Commission on Stratigraphy and the Norwegian
Stratigraphic Committee provide long term guidance and advice.
With a project of the scope and purpose of NORLEX, many practising offshore
exploration geoscientists and petroleum data administrators have made vital
contributions. In particular, we like to acknowledge Elen Roaldset, Elisabeth Aronsen
and Arne Stabell, respectively Director, Executive Secretary and IT Manager of the
Museum of Natural History that houses and administrates NORLEX, Eric Toogood,
Manager of the Diskos Project, and geoscience colleagues Sorin Filipescu, Mike
Kaminski, James Ogg, Adam Lugowski, Steve Crittenden, Luis Vergara, Winfried
Dallmann, Gitte Laursen, Iain Prince, Martin Pearce, Alex Cullum and Jan Zalasiewicz.
References
Anthonissen, E.D., 2008. Late Pliocene and Pleistocene biostratigraphy of the Nordic
Atlantic region. Newsletters on Stratigraphy 43/1, p. 33-48.
7

Anthonissen, E.D., 2009. On the current status of the Neogene lithostratigraphy of the
Norwegian continental margin: a bio-lithostratigraphic synthesis. PhD thesis, University
of Oslo, Norway.
Coe, A.L (ed) 2003. The sedimentary record of sea-level change. Cambridge University
Press, 288 p.
Condon, P. J., Jolley, D. W. and Morton, A. C. 1992. Eocene succession on the East
Shetland platform, North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 9, p. 633-647
Dalland, A., Worsley, D. and Ofstad, K.1988. A lithostratigraphic scheme for the
Mesozoic and Cenozoic succession offshore mid- and northern Norway.
Oljedirektotatet (Norwegian Petroleum Directorate), NPD Bulletin 4, 63 p.
Dallmann, W. K. (ed.). 1999. Lithostratigraphic Lexicon of Svalbard: Upper Palaeozoic
to Quaternary bedrock, Committee on the Stratigraphy of Svalbard. Norsk Polarinstitutt,
Tromsø, 313 p.
Dam, G., Larsen, B. T., Larsen, M., Stemmerik, L., Hamberg, L. & Monstad, S. 2002.
The Norwegian Sea area, seen from offshore and onshore Greenland - a comparative
regional review. In: Hurst, A. (ed.). 2002. Abstracts and Proceedings of the Norwegian
Geological Society 2, p. 44-46
Deegan, C. E. & Skull, B. J. 1977. A standard lithostratigraphic nomenclature for the
Central and Northern North Sea. Oljedirektoratet (Norwegian Petroleum Direktorate),
NPD Bulletin1, 35 p.
Gradstein, F.M., Ogg. J.G., Smith, A. et al., 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004.
Cambridge University Press, 640 p.
Isaksen, D. & Tonstad, K. 1989. A revised Cretaceous and Tertiary lithostratigraphic
nomenclature for the Norwegian North Sea. Oljedirektoratet (Norwegian Petroleum
Direktorate) , NPD-Bulletin, 5, 57 p.
Lervik, K.-S., 2006. Triassic lithostratigraphy of the northern North Sea Basin.
Norwegian Journal of Geology 86, p. 93-117.
Ogg, James G., Ogg, Gabi, and Gradstein, Felix M., 2008. The Concise Geologic Time
Scale. Cambridge University Press, 177 p.
Rawson, P.F. et al., 2002. Stratigraphical Procedure. Geol. Soc. London, UK, 57 p.
Rey, J., and Galeotti, S., eds 2008. Stratigraphy – Terminology and Practise. Editions
Technip, Paris, France., 163p.
Rundberg, Y. & Eidvin, T. 2005. Controls on depositionary history and architecture of
the Oligocene-Miocene succession, northern North Sea Basin. Memoirs of the
Norwegian Petroleum Society, Wandås, B. et al. (eds.), p. 207-241.
Salvador, A., ed. 1994. International Stratigraphic Guide. Geol. Soc. America, 214 p.
Simmons, M.D., Sharland, P.R., Casey, D.M., Davies, R.B., and Sutcliffe, O.E. 2007.
Arabian Plate sequence stratigraphy: Potential implications for global
chronostratigraphy. Geoarabia 12(4), p. 101-130.
Strasser A., Hilgen F. and Heckel P., 2007. Cyclostratigraphy - concepts, definitions,
and applications. Newsletters on Stratigraphy 42(2), p. 75-114.
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Vollset, J. & Doré, A. G. 1984. A revised Triassic and Jurassic lithostratigraphic
nomenclature for the Norwegian North Sea. Oljedirektoratet (Norwegian Petroleum
Direktorate), NPD-Bulletin, 3, 53 p.
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Appendix - Template for description of lithostratigraphic units
GROUP
FORMATION
1. Name
1.1. English/ Norwegian and any previous names
1.2. Derivatio nominis
1.3. Publication
2. Lithology
3. Sample depository
3.1. Palynological preparations (organic matter depository)
3.2. Core photographs [Color Images]
3.3. Thin-section depository
4. Thickness
5. Geographical distribution [Map]
6. Type well
6.1. Well name
6.2. Location [Map]
WGS84 coordinates:
UTM coordinates:
UTM zone:
6.3. Drilling operator name
6.4. Completion date
6.5. Status
6.6. Interval of type section (m) & thickness in type well (m)
7. Reference well
7.1. Well name
7.2. Location [Map]
WGS84 coordinates:
UTM coordinates:
UTM zone:
7.3. Drilling operator name
7.4. Completion date
7.5. Status
7.6. Interval of reference section (m) & thickness in reference well (m)
8. Upper and lower boundaries (in paratype section if type well is insufficient)
9. Well log characteristics [Figure]
10. Type seismic section
9.1. Location of section [Figure]
9.2. Section [Color Figure]
11. Biostratigraphy [Figure]
12. Age
13. Correlation [Figure]
14. Depositional environment
15. Remarks References
MEMBER -
BED -
10

Tables and Figures
Tables 1, 2, 3, 3a and 4. Cultural data for the Cenozoic, Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic
lithostratigraphic units in the North Sea, validated and/or newly erected in the NORLEX
Project, with a listing of type and reference wells. Table 3a also shows the Jurassic units
in their broad chronostratigraphic context.
Tables 5, 6, and 7. Cultural data for the Cenozoic, Cretaceous and Jurassic
lithostratigraphic units in the North Sea, validated and/or newly erected in the NORLEX
Project, with a listing of the type and reference wells.
Figure 1. Schematic illustration of the Formation and Members concept, as applied in
the NORLEX Project. This new practise updates regional lithostratigraphy published
two or three decades ago. Many reservoir sands now have Member status, instead of
being lumped in with the original Formation.
Figures 2 and 3. Cultural data for the traditional formations accessible via the NORLEX
website. Where feasible, the maximum local range of a formation is shown, and the
chronostratigraphic interval thought to be approximately represented by a
formation in its type well. The formational listing is incomplete for the ‘chalk’ units in
the southern North Sea
Figures 4 through 7. Schematic regional stratigraphic diagrams for the Neogene,
Paleogene, Cretaceous and Jurassic of the North Sea, and /or the continental sedimentary
wedges in the Norwegian Sea, offshore mid Norway. On the NORLEX website each
lithostratigraphic name is an active button for further search and information. These
diagrams are an effective manner to display and quickly interrogate regional
lithostratigraphic information.
Figure 8. The NORLEX website with data and search menus to the left of the map (at
http://www.nhm.uio.no/norlex). The map itself and the stratigraphic column also are
clickable. For example, a click on the purple ‘Offshore Mid Norway’ area on the map
opens two windows, one with key cultural data for the previously published, and one
with the new NORLEX lithostratigraphic units. Each of the cells again is clickable for
search after further information.
Figure 9. Thickness of the Rogaland Group in the Oseberg-Troll area, generated
online with the map contouring fascility on the NORLEX website. Circled wells contain
base and top of the group, red wells contain biostratigraphy. The map can be
customized, and the wells are clickable to reveal cultural and stratigraphic details.
11

Table 1
Group Formation Member Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Neogene Nordland Kai Utsira 16/1-1
Paleogene
820-644.5 m
(below KB)
Lark UK 21/10-4 1217-1867 m
Skade 24/12-1 1007-851 m
N 58°59'17.65''
E 02°01'58.29''
N 59°02'29.80''
E 01°52'57.93''
15/9-13
847-57 m (below
KB)
15/9-13 1224-1143 m
Vade 2/2-1 2172-2100 m 2/3-2 1855-1795 m
Horda UK22/1-1A 1992-2379.5 m UK9/4-1 1026.5-1835 m
Hordaland
UK16/18-1 1852.5-2356.5 m
Rogaland
Chalk
UK21/22-1 1076-1234.5 m
Grid 15/3-3 1840-1470 m 24/12-1 1660-1502 m
24/12-2 1397-1282 m
Frigg 25/1-1 2115-1836 m 30/7-6 1923-1783 m
Balder 25/11-1 1780-1705 m
Odin UK 9/18a-15 1875-1676 m
Radøy 35/8-3 1525-1418 m
Sele UK21/10-1 2131-2100 m
Unresolved
Sele/Lista
Forties UK21/10-1 2370-2131 m
Hermod 25/2-6 2361-2221 m
Fiskebank 9/11-1 1483-1335 m
Solund
Vidar 2/1-4 3138-3075 m
Lista 2/7-1 2918-2873 m
Mey UK 21/2-1 2356.5-2002.5 m
Heimdal 25/4-1 2423-2067 m
Sotra 35/8-3 1709-1665 m
Siri DK Siri-2 2205.5-2127 m
Våle 1/3-1 3258-3209 m
Borr
DK Augusta-
1
2963.2-2940.5 m
Ty UK10/1-1 2767-2421 m
Maureen 7/11-1 3173-3069 m
Våle/Tang Egga 6305/5-1 2770.4-2718 m
Ekofisk 2/4-5 3164-3037 m
N 59°10'57.39'',
E 02°24'28.18''
N 59°26'36.67"
E 01°33'20.08"
N 61°21'05.35",
E 03°32'02.63"
N 57°43'50.37'',
E 00°58'29.19''
N 57°43'50.37'',
E 00°58'29.19''
N 59°45'33.55'',
E 02°33'05.96''
N 57°00'41.40'',
E 04°500'33.52''
N 56°54'39.82'',
E 03°04'02.25''
N 56°25'44.68'',
E 03°12'14.21''
N 57°55'14.49",
E 00°15'46930"
N 59°34'27.30'',
E 02°13'22.60''
N 61°21'05.35",
E 03°32'02.63"
N 56°29'40.53",
E 04°52'13.26"
N 56°51'21.00'',
E 02°51'05.00''
N 56°17'57.40",
E 04°24'04.64"
N 59°50'10.50'',
E 02°00'33.60''
N 57°04'15.60",
E 02°26'24.40"
N 63°32'27.50",
E 5°20'14.90"
N 56°34'29.77'',
E 03°12'13.03''
30/2-1 1993-1917 m
15/9-17 2253-2204 m
25/7-17 1647-1587 m
35/8-1 1685-1675 m
31/2-6 1225-1167 m
7/11-1 3069-2904 m
UK10/1-1 2212-2127 m
8/9-1 1375-1315 m
1/3-1 3147-3095 m
15/9-11 2386-2308 m
16/8-1 1749-1708 m
7/11-2 3107-3027 m
15/9-11 2423-2385 m
35/3-1 1422-1392 m
DK
Connie-1
2368.3-2292.2 m
15/9-5 2774-2736 m
2/7-1 2934-2918 m
3/7-4 2845-2815 m
15/3-1 2715-2556m
15/12-1 2644-2616 m
6205/3-1 1482-1317 m
1/3-1 3354-3258 m
UK22/1-
2A
2982.5-2935 m
2/5-1 3132-3041 m
N 58°22'25.96''
E 01°56'02.86''
N 58°22'25.96''
E 01°56'02.86''
N 60°52'05.42'',
E 02°38I49.16''
N 58°26'44.19'',
E 0l°56'53.58''
N 59°03'26.66"
E 02°29'06.59"
N 61°21'26.37",
E 03°21'44.09"
N60°54 13.57'',
E 03°38'49.43''
N 57°04'15.60'',
E 02°26'24.40''
N 50°50'10.50'',
E 02°00'33.60''
N 57°26'27.28'',
E 03°51'03.48''
N 56°51'21.00'',
E 02°51'05.00''
N 58°24'02.53'',
E 01°53'41.79''
N 58°27'24.80'',
E 02°25'56.80''
N 57°43'50.37'',
E 00°58'29.19''
N 58°24'02.53",
E 01°53'41.79"
N 61°50'41.89",
E 03°43'41.36"
N 56°24'28,34",
E 04°42'30,36"
N 58°24'12.47,
E 01°42'29.20
N 58°25'44.68,
E 03°12'14.21
N 56°24'15.60",
E 04°14'22.24"
N58°50'57.00'',
E 01°43'13.25
N 58°10'32.60",
E 1°44'23.10"
N 62°57'08.62",
E 5°56'38.11"
N 56°51'21.00'',
E 02°51'05.00”
N 57°56'12.20'',
E 01°02'55.80''
N 56°38'19.95,
E 03°21'07.94''

Table 2
Cretaceous
Group Formation Member Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Shetland
Chalk
Hardråde 30/11-3 2892-2601 m
Jorsalfare 25/1-1 2997-2711 m
Kyrre 25/1-1 3582-2997 m
Piggvar
(new)
Rødspette
(new)
6204/11-1 2088-2001m
35/9-3 ST 1958.5-1868 m
Tryggvason 25/1-1 3790-3582 m
Blodøks 25/1-1 3807-3790 m
Svarte 25/1-1 3995-3807 m
Tor 1/3-1 3828-3354 m
Hod 1/3-1 4343-3828 m
Hidra 1/3-1 4441-4371 m
Undifferentiated
Shetland Group
N 60°02'38.59'',
E 02°32'15.47''
N 59°53'17.40'',
E 02°04'42.70''
N 59°53'17.40'',
E 02°04'42.70''
N 62°11'16.96'',
E 04°23'57.85''
N 61°28'51.76'',
E 03°58'30.17''
N 59°53'17.40'',
E 02°04'42.70''
N 59°53'17.40'',
E 02°04'42.70''
N 59°53'17.40'',
E 02°04'42.70''
N 56°51'21.00'',
E 02°51'05.00''
N 56°51'21.00'',
E 01°51'05.00''
N 56°51'21.00'',
E 02°51'05.00''
31/6-2 968-978 m
N 60°34'58.24'',
E 03°54'55.76''
35/3-2 1665-1520 m N 61°51'05.98'',
E 03°46'28.22''
24/9-1 3117-2752 m
N 59°16'09.48'',
E 01°47'31.18''
35/3-2 2864-1665 m N 61°51'05.98'',
E 03°46'28.22
24/9-1 3638-3117 m
N 59°16'09.48'',
E 01°41'31.18''
30/11-3 3162-2892 m
N 60°02'38.59'',
E 02°31'15.47''
6204/10-1 2046-1860 m
N 62°03'20.50'',
E 04°15'36.60''
N 62°02'41.24'',
6204/10-2 R 1895.5-1868 m
E 04°07'04.59''
N 61°25'33.12'',
36/7-3 1908.5-1843 m
E 04°2'59.61''
35/3-2 3190-2864 m N 61°5r05.98'',
E 03°46'28.22''
24/9-1 3783-3638 m
30/11-3 3207-3162 m
N 59°16'09.48'',
E 01°47'31.18''
N 60°02'38.59'',
E 02°32'15.47''
35/3-2 3207-3190 m N 61°51'05.98'',
N 03°46'28.22''
1/3-1 4371-4343 m
Danish BO-1 2220-2213 m
N 56°51'21.00'',
E 02°51'05.00''
N 55°48'02.22'',
E 04°34'18.66''
35/3-2 3447-3207 m N 61°5r05.98'',
E 03°46'28.22''
24/9-1 3992-3804 m
N 59°16'09.48'',
E 01°47'31.18''
UK22/1-2A 3245-2982.5 m N 57°56'12.20'',
E 01°12'55.80''
UK29/25-1 2212-1869 m
1/9-1 3312-3104 m
N 56°18'10.00'',
E 01°5'48.80''
N 56°24'05.07'',
E 02°54'06.49''
UK29/25-1 2225-2012 m N 56°18'10.00'',
E 01°51'48.80''
2/8-8 2601-2494 m
N 56°16'50.28'',
E 03°24'15.93''
UK22/1-2A 3783-3738 m N 57°56'12.20'',
E 01°02'55.80''
UK29/25-1 2258.5-2228 m
Danish BO-1 2275.5-2220 m
31/6-2 1128-978 m
N 56°18'10.00'',
E 01°51'48.80''
N 55°48'02.22'',
E 04°34' 18.66''
N 60°43'58.24'',
E 03°54'55.76''

Cretaceous Cromer
Knoll
Group Formation Member Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Rødby
Table 2 continued
Agat (new
status)
Danish
Rødby-1
35/3-4 3542-3345 m
Sola Danish 1-1 2898-2859 m
Tuxen Danish I-1 2986-2898 m
Mime 34/10-18 2351-2340 m
Åsgard 2/11-1 3555-3063 m
Rognkjeks
(new)
Rognkall
(new)
36/7-3 2796-2767 m
6205/3-1 R 4355-4327 m
Steinbit (new) 6204/11-2 2800-2700 m
Ran
(redefined)
7/3-1 2412-2396 m
N 61°51'54.54'',
E 03°52'26.99''
N 56°03'10'',
E 04°14'60''
N 56°03'10'',
E 04°14'60''
N 61°14'22.48'',
E 02°03'18.83''
N 56°14'16.98'',
E 03°27'07.05''
N 61°25'33.12''
E 04°2'59.61''
N 62°57'08.62''
E 05°56'38.11''
N 62°11'50.47''
E 04°26'37.67''
N 57°50'35.25'',
E 02°44'55.61''
2/11-1 2910-2887 m
N 56°14'16.98'',
E 03°27'07.05''
2/7-15 3419-3401 m
N 56°23'46.82'',
E 03°18'54.63''
35/3-5 3605-3219 m
N 61°47'46.71'',
E 03°54'44.01''
2/11-1 2988-2910 m
24/12-2 4043-3985 m
2/11-1 3063-2988 m
2/6-2 3935-3864 m
N 56°14'16.98'',
E 03°27'07.05''
N 59°12'00.75'',
E 01°52'53.34''
N 56°14'16.98'',
E 03°27'07.05''
N 56°30'48.90'',
E 03°42'39.66''
17/4-1 2122-2080 m N 58°35'54.00'',
E 03°16'05.00''
17/11-2 2410-1802 m N 58°06'54.91'',
E 03°22'09.81''
Danish I-1 3358-2986 m
N 56°03'10'',
E 04°14'60''
35/3-5 3684-3662 m
N 61°47'46.71'',
E 03°54'44.01''
6204/10-1 2670-2564 m N 62°03'20.50'',
E 04°15'36.60''
17/11-2 1802-1767 m N 58°06'54.91'',
E 03°22'09.81''

Table 3
Group Formation Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Tyne
Boknfjord
Jurassic
Vestland
Viking
Mandal 7/12-3A 3514-3552 m
Farsund 2/7-3 3414-3626 m
Eldfisk 2/7-3 3626-3695 m
Haugesund 2/7-3 3695-4191 m
Flekkefjord 9/4-2 2155-2208 m
Sauda 9/4-3 2250-2400 m
Tau 9/4-3 2400-2437 m
Egersund 9/4-1 2251-2288 m
Børglum Unit
Ula 7/12-2 3378.5-3531.5 m
Sandnes 9/4-3 2490-2507.5 m
Hugin 15/9-2 3483-3657 m
Bryne 9/4-3 2507.5-2613 m
Sleipner 15/9-2 3657-3699 m
Draupne 30/6-5 2452-2615 m
Sognefjord 31/2-1 1440-1531.5 m
Fensfjord 31/2-1 1594.5-1741.5 m
Krossfjord 31/2-1 1741.5-1880 m
Heather UK 211/21-1A 2810-2840 m
N 57°06'24.54''
E 02°48'41.56''
N 56°23'02.9''
E 03°14'45.9''
N 56°23'02.9''
E 03°14'45.9''
N 56°23'02.9''
E 03°14'45.9''
N 57°41'11.05''
E 04°02'34.85''
N 57°26'54.5''
E 04°18'57.7''
N 57°36'54.5''
E 04°18'57.7''
N 57°35'02''
E 04°01'13''
N 57°06'41.34''
E 02°50'50.73''
N 57°36'54.5''
E 04°18'57.7''
N 58°25'34.06''
E 01°42'28.2''
N 57°36'54.5''
E 04°18'57.7''
N 58°25'34.06''
E 01°42'28.2''
N 60°41'20.6''
E 02°57'11.09''
N 60°46'19.16''
E 03°33'15.87''
N 60°46'19.16''
E 03°33'15.87''
N 60°46'19.16''
E 03°33'15.87''
N 61°11'9.6''
E 01°06'5.7''
2/1-2 3300-3316 m
1/9-3 4265-4319 m
7/12-2 3306-3378.5 m
2/8-3 3594-3761 m
1/9-3 4359.5-4386.5 m
3/5-2 3182.5-3345 m
2/8-3
3761-4115 m
(T.D.)
8/1-1 2379-2425 m
8/1-1 2425-2551 m
8/1-1 2551-2606 m
17/12-1 2215-2290 m
N 56°57'30.76''
E 03° 12'32.07''
N 56°24'56.2''
E 02°54'15.15''
N 57°06'41.34''
E 02°50'50.73''
N 56°18'31,
E 03°26'54.1
N 56°24'56.2''
E 02°54'15.15''
N 56°32'34.46''
E 04°23'11.1''
N 56°18'31''
E 03°26'54.1''
N 57°51'43.53''
E 03°12'27.64''
N 57°51'43.53''
E 03°12'27.64''
N 57°51'43.53''
E 03°12'27.64''
N 58°11'15.4''
E 03°56'22.2''
2/1-2 3316-3346.5 m N 56°57'30.76''
E 03°12'23.07''
18/11-1 1878-1964 m
15/6-5 3627-3679 m
N 58°04'21.3''
E 04°32'00.1''
N 58°30'29.67''
E 01°45'50.4''
8/12-1 2710.5-2813 m N57°13'18.6''
E 03°46'45.13''
15/12-1 3152-3204 m
UK 211/21-
1A
2729.5-2810 m
UK 210/30-1 3330-3717.5 m
33/9-1 2443-2450 m
15/9-2 3397-3478 m
15/3-1 3947-4754 m
None at
present
None at
present
None at
present
33/9-1 2450-2464m
31/2-1 1531.5-1594.5 m
15/3-1 4754-4986 m
N 58°10'32.6''
E 01°44'23.6''
N 61°11'09.6''
E 01°06'45''
N 61°04'05.4''
E 00°54' 14.4''
N 61°15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 58°25'34.06''
E 01°42'28.2''
N 58°50'57.00''
E 01°43'13.25''
N 61°15°07.5
E 01°50'25.8''
N 60°46'19.16''
E 03°33' 15.87''
N 58°50'57.0
E 01°43'13.25''

Jurassic
Group Formation Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Brent
Dunlin
Table 3 continued
Tarbert UK211/29-3 2602.5-2633.5 m
Ness UK211/29-3 2633.5-2772 m
Etive UK211/29-3 2772-2783 m
Rannoch UK211/29-3 2783-2818 m
Broom UK211/29-3 2818-2829 m
Drake UK211/29-3 2829-2887 m
Cook UK211/29-3 2887-2950.5 m
Burton UK211/29-3 2950.5-2993 m
Johansen 31/2-1 2176-2272.5 m
Amundsen UK211/29-3 2993-3051 m
Statfjord 33/12-2 2700-2951 m
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 61°08'06''
E 01'43'36.5''
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 60°46' 19.16''
E 03°33'15.87''
N 61°08'06''
E 01°43'36.5''
N 61°13'31.18''
E 01°51'25.97''
33/9-1 2464-2509m
34/4-4 2680-2695 m
20/6-7 2632-2646 m
33/9-1 2509-2575 m
30/6-7 2646-2727 m
31/4-4 2695-2721 m
33/9-1 2575-2602 m
30/6-7 2727-2786 m
31/4-4 2721-2758 m
33/9-1 2602-2664 m
33/9-1 2664-2668 m
33/9-1 2668-2715 m
30/6-7 2786-2975 m
31/2-1 1985-2093 m
25/2-4 3876-3895 m
33/9-1 2715-2801 m
30/6-7 2975-3023 m
31/2-1 2093-2134 m
30/7-7 4735-4801 m
33/9-1 2801-2838 m
None at
present
33/9-1 2838-2923 m
UK 211/24-1 3112-3434 m
30/6-1 2712-3003 m
25/2-5 3652-3847 m
N 61°15'07.05''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 60°40'01.12''
E 03°06'54.12''
N 60°38' 39.49''
E 02°45'21.74''
N 61°15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 60°38'39.49''
E 02°45'21.74''
N 60°40'01.12''
E 03°06'54.12''
N 61°15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 60°38' 39.49''
E 02°45'21.74''
N 60°40'01.12''
E 03°06'54.12''
N 61°15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 61°15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 61° 15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 60°38'39.49''
E 02°45'21.74''
N 60°46'19.16''
E 03°33'15.87''
N 59°58'44.09''
E 02°22'58.88''
N 61°15' 07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 60°38'39.49''
E 02°45'21.74''
N 60°46' 19.16''
E 03°33'15.87''
N 60° 16'19.30''
E 02° 16'07.30''
N 61°15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 61°15'07.5''
E 01°50'25.8''
N 61° 11'46.2''
E 01°46'26.3''
N 60°33' 15.10''
E 02°46'38.36''
N 59°48'01.40''
E 02°28'18.30''

Type and reference wells for Jurassic of the North Sea
Group Formation Member Type well Reference wells:
Hettangian
Sinemurian Pliensbachian Toarcian Aalenian Bajocian Bathonian CallovianOxfordian Kimmeridgian Volgian Ryazanian
Draupne Fm. 30/6-5 33/9-1 211/21-1A 15/3-1 210/30-1 15/9-2
Flekkefjord Mbr. 9/4-2 8/1-1
Sauda Mbr. 9/4-3 8/1-1
Mandal Mbr. 7/12-3 A 2/1-2 1/9-3
Tau Mbr. 9/4-3 8/1-1
Munin Mbr. 33/9-15 33/9-16 33/9-17 34/7-21 34/7-21A
Atrid Mbr. 15/3-1 15/3-2 15/3-3
Heather Fm. 211/21-1A 33/9-1 15/3-1 31/2-1
Farsund Mbr. 2/7-3 7/12-2 2/8-3
Eldfisk Mbr. 2/7-3 1/9-3
Haugesund Mbr. 2/7-3 2/8-3 3/5-2
Egersund Mbr. 9/4-1 17/12-1
Fraoch Mbr. 35/11-8 S 35/11-9
Fenris Mbr. 15/12-4 15/12-5 15/12-10
Melke Mbr 6506/12-4 6407/2-2
Rogn Fm.
6407/
9-1
Ula Fm 7/12-2 2/1-2
Sognefjord Fm. 31/2-1
Fensfjord Fm. 31/2-1
Krossfjord Fm. 31/2-1
Tarbert Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1 30/6-7 31/4-4 ?
Hugin Mbr. 15/9-2 15/6-5
Sandnes Mbr. 9/4-3 18/11-1
Ness Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1 30/6-7 31/4-4
Sleipner Mbr. 15/9-2 15/12-1
Bryne Mbr. 9/4-3 8/12-1
Etive Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1 30/6-7 31/4-4
Rannoch Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1
Broom Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1
Oseberg Fm. 30/6-7
Drake Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1 30/6-7 31/2-1 25/2-4
Cook Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1 30/6-7 31/2-1 30/7-7
Burton Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1
Johansen Fm. 31/2-1
Amundsen Fm. 211/29-3 33/9-1 30/6-7 31/2-1
Fjerritslev Fm.
Onshore
Gassum Fm. Gassum 1
Garn Fm. 6407/1-3 6507/11-3
Not Fm. 6507/11-3 6407/1-3
Ile Fm. 6507/11-3 6407/1-3
Ror Fm. 6407/2-1 6507/10-1 6407/4-1 6610/7-1
Tofte Fm. 6506/12-1 6407/4-1
Tilje Fm. 6507/11-1 6609/10-1
Åre Fm. 6507/12-1 6407/1-2
Viking Gp.
Dunlin Gp. Brent Gp.
Fangst
Gp.
Båt Gp.
Table 3a

Table 4
Triassic Hegre
Group Formation Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Teist 31/6-1 3455-3739 m
Lomvi 33/12-5 3747-3867 m
Lunde 33/12-2 2951-3749 m
Alke 33/12-2 3749-4048 m
N 60°38'44.89
E 03°40'52.28
N 61°ll'05.53
E 01°51'53.34
N 61°13'31.38
E 01°51'25.97
N 61°13'31.38
E 01°51'25.97
33/5-1 3298-TD 3800 m
33/5-1 3220-3298 m
UK211/29-5 3003-3795 m
34/4-C-6H 2980 -3452 m
34/7-3 2635-3365 m
UK 211/29-5 3795-4055 m
34/4-C-6H 2980-3452 m
N 61°44'46.10
E 01°34'47.40
N 61°44'46.10
E 01°34'47.40
N 61°04'43.00
E 01°45'46.50
N 61°31'30.51
E 02°12'40.66
N 61°25'54.05
E 02°07'43.95
N 61°04'43.0
E 01°45'46.5
N 61°31'30.51
E 02°12'40.66

Neogene Nordland
Paleogene
Table 5
Group Formation Member Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Naust 6507/12-1
Formational base at
1342 m
Kai 6407/1-2 1690-1419 m
Molo 6610/3-1
Hordaland Brygge 6407/1-3 2212.5-1762.5 m
Rogaland
Tare 6507/12-1 1884-1826 m
Tang 6407/6-1 1745-1673 m
Egga 6305/5-1 2718-2770.4 m
N 65°07'01.62''
E 07°42'42.61''
N 64°47'50.61''
E 07°02'23.76''
555(base)- N 66°55'29.70''
approximately 349 m E 10°54'06.28'' 6407/9-5
N 64°52'25.48''
E 07°02'53.47''
N 65°07'01.62''
E 07°42'42.61''
N 64°38'29.62''
E 07°52'31.53''
N 63°32'27.50''
E 5°20'14.90''
6205/3-1 1317-1482 m
6305/8-1 2898-2959 m
N 64°16'42.35''
E 07°44'14.66''
N 62°57'08.62''
E 5°56'38.11''
N 63°28'34.70''
E 5°24'14.40''

Table 6
Cretaceous
Group Formation Member Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Shetland
(redefined in
Norwegian
Sea)
Cromer Knoll
(redefined in
Norwegian
Sea)
Springar 6506/12-4 2380-2211 m
Hvithval
(new)
Grindhval
(new)
6704/12-1 3244-2552.7 m
6305/5-1 2813.5-2779 m
Nise 6506/12-4 2600-2380 m
Spekkhogger
(new)
Nebbhval
(new)
6707/10-1 3810-2977 m
6610/3-1 2306-2282 m
Kvitnos 6506/12-4 3132.5-2600 m
Blålange
(new)
Lange
(redefined)
Tumler (new) 6707/10-1 4241-3939 m
Kvitskjæving
(new)
Lysing
(redefined)
6610/3-1 2543-2504.5m
6506/12-1 3705-3175 m
6507/7-1 3000-2926 m
Tunge (new) 6306/10-1 1858-1825 m
Skrubbe
(new)
6610/3-1R 3047-2884 m
Skolest (new) 6306/10-1 1999-1992 m
Breiflabb
(new)
Smørflyndre
(new)
Sandflyndre
(new)
Gapeflyndre
(new)
Langebarn
(new)
Lyr 6506/12-1
6507/2-2 3293-3263 m
6507/2-2 3334.5-3330 m
6610/3-1R 3412-3203 m
6305/12-1 3458- 3281 m
N 65°12'46.97''
E 06°43'30.37''
N 67°07'25.00''
E 04°42'44.70''
N 63°32'27.50''
E 5°20'14.90''
N 65°12'46.97''
E 06°43'30.37''
N 67°04'07.85''
E 07°00'36.51''
N 66°55'29.70''
E 10°54'06.28''
N 65°12'46.97''
E 06°43'30.37''
N 67°04'07.85''
E 07°00'36.51''
N 66°55'29.70''
E 10°54'06.28''
N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
N 65°27'16.7''
E 07°12'52.6''
N 63°09'26.32''
E 06°19'41.45''
N 66°55'29.70''
E 10°54'06.28''
N 63°09'26.32''
E 06°19'41.45''
N 65°55'01.69''
E 07°30'54.56''
N 65°55'01.69''
E 07°30'54.56''
N 66°55'29.70''
E 10°54'06.28''
N 63°01'25.73''
E 05°47'23.94''
6506/12-1 3812.5-3705 m N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
6507/7-12 3703-3670 m
3836-3812.5 m
Note base
amended from
3835 m by
Dalland et al.
1988 (in
addendum)
N 65°26'46.16''
E 07°18'17.82''
N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
6506/12-1 3705-2279 m
6506/12-1 2446-2279 m
6707/10-1 2434-2213 m
6305/8-1 3005-2976 m
6506/12-1 2658-2446 m
6704/12-1 3968-3646.5m
6506/12-1 3175-2658 m
6706/11-1 3465-3101 m
6610/3-1R 3412-2655 m
6506/12-4 3755.5-3132.5 m
6506/12-4 3150-3132.5 m
6506/11-3 3202-3121 m
6506/3-1 3110.5-3090 m
6305/12-1 2642-2616 m
6305/1-1 4529-4504 m
6507/7-1 3523-3495.5 m
6506/11-4S 4321-4236 m
N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
N 67°04'07.85''
E 07°00'36.51''
N 63°28'34.70''
E 5°24'14.40''
N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
N 67°07'25.00''
E 04°42'44.70''
N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
N 67°04'24.77''
E 06°27'47.70''
N 66°55'29.70''
E 10°54'06.28''
N 65°12'46.97''
E 06°43'30.37''
N 65°12'46.97''
E 06°43'30.37''
N 65°13'58.44''
E 06°22'26.89''
N 65°48'20.75''
E 06°44'32.64''
N 63°01'25.73''
E 05°47'23.94''
N 63°46'59.72''
E 05°16'19.57''
N 65°27'16.7''
E 07°12'52.6''
N 65°01'46.17''
E 06°36'04.74''
6506/12-1
3836-3705 m.
Note base
amended from
3835 m by
Dalland et al. 1988
(in addendum)
N 65°10'07.58''
E 06°43'44.07''
6506/12-4 3835-3755.5 m
N 65°12'46.97''
E 06°43'30.37''
6407/1-2 3526-3510 m
N 64°47'50.61''
E 07°02'23.76''

Jurassic
Table 7
Triassic-Jurassic
Group Formation Type well Interval Location Reference Interval Location
Viking
Fangst
Båt
Spekk 6407/2-1 2908-2842.5 m
Rogn 6407/9-1 1670-1621 m
Melke 6506/12-4 3979.5-3863 m
Garn 6407/1-3 3704-3600 m
Not 6507/11-3 2471.5-2457 m
Ile 6507/11-3 2536-2471.5 m
Ror 6407/2-1 3176-3072 m
Tofte 6506/12-1 4229-4164 m
Tilje 6507/11-1 2596-2498 m
Åre 6507/12-1 2920-2412 m
N 64°58'04.97
E 07°28'28.11
N 64°21'55.39
E 07°47'21.76
N 65°12'46.97
E 06°43'30.37
N 64°52'25.48
E 07°02'53.47
N 65°01'59.8
E 07°30'42.34
N 65°01'59.8
E 07°30'42.34
N 64°58'04.97
E 07°28'28.11
N 65°10'07.58
E 06°43'44.07
N 65°04'43.82
E 07°29'23.33
N 65°07'01.62
E 07°42'42.61
6407/9-1 1621-1612 m N 64°21'55.39
E 07°47'21.76
6407/2-2 2461-2417 m N 64°59'39.64
E 07°31'53.08
6507/11-3 2457-2412 m N 65°01'59.8
E 07°30'42.34
6407/1-3 3741-3704 m N 64°52'25.48
E 07°02'53.47
6407/1-3 3813-3741 m N 64°52'25.48
E 07°02'53.47
6507/10-1 3080.5-2994 m N 65°13'10.75
E 07°14'00.47
6407/4-1 4208.5-4150 m N 64°35'45.36
E 07°08'42.17
6609/10-1 1733-1642 m N 66°14'42.27
E 09°14'59.50
6407/1-2 4548-4221 m N 64°47'50.61
E 07°02'23.76

Member AA
Traditional Concept NorLex Concept
Figure 1
Formation B
Formation D
Formation A
Formation A
Formation C
Formation C
sandstones and mudstone
units as formations
Formation A
Formation C
Member BB
Background hemipelagic
mudstones as formations
detached deep water sands as members
of hemipelagic mudstone formations
attached shoreline
sandstones as formations

Figure 2

Figure 3

Age
(Ma)
5
10
15
20
25
30
Chronostrati
-graphy
Pleistocene
-Pliocene
Upper
Miocene
Middle
Miocene
Lower
Miocene
Upper
Oligocene
Lower
Oligocene
Eocene
Hordaland Group Nordland Group
Lark Formation Kai Formation
Horda
Fm
Southern Viking Graben Northern Viking Graben Northern Viking Graben (61° N)
S N W E
Skade
Member
Utsira Member
Mid-Miocene hiatus (~0 my in the south to 15-20 my in northernmost North Sea)
Hiatus
Lithostratigraphy
(after Rundberg & Eidvin, 2005)
“Nordland Group mudstones” - undefined
References: (abbreviated to numbers in the figure)
Unnamed
Member
Hiatus
Neogene stratigraphy of the Norwegian central and northern North Sea
Utsira Member
Unnamed
Member
Seismic
subdivision
M. Miocene - L. Plio megasequence
Lower Oligocene - Lower Miocene megasequence
(Rundberg &
Eidvin, 2005)
LN-2
LN-1
UH-4
UH-3
UH-2
UH-1
Type wells:
Utsira Mbr (16/1-1)
Skade Mbr (24/12-1)
644
814
910
GR
Wireline logs
Reference well:
Utsira Mbr &
Skade Mbr (15/9-13)
16/1-1
15/9-13
(Depth in metres below KB)
24/12-1
GR RES
851
1007
RES
847
1057
1143
1224
GR RES
diagenetic horizon
opal-A overlies opal-CT
(7)
North Sea Log marker F
(2)
Age
(Ma)
5
10
15
20
25
30
Age calibration points
(After Head et al., 2004)
Well 15/9-A-11
(1.8-2.4 Ma, late Late Pliocene:
marine palynomorphs and
foraminifera, Head et al., 2004)
Well 15/9-A-23
(Early Pliocene: marine
palynomorphs, Piasecki et al., 2002)
(Early Pliocene, foraminifera,
Wilkinson, unpubl.)
(ca. 4.5 Ma, Early Pliocene: marine
palynomorphs, Head et al. ,2004)
Well 24/12-1
(10.3-11.7 Ma,
Middle/Late Miocene:
calcareous algae, Eidvin, unpubl.)
Well 24/12-1
(12-14 Ma, Middle Miocene:
calcareous algae, Eidvin et al., 2002;
Spiegler & Müller, 1992;
Müller & Spiegler, 1993)
Well 24/12-1
(15.4 Ma, Middle Miocene:
Strontium age, Eidvin et al., 2002)
Well 15/12-3
(17.0 Ma, Early Miocene:
Strontium age,
Rundberg & Eidvin, 2005)
Well 15/12-3
(26. 8 Ma, Late Oligocene:
Strontium age,
Rundberg & Eidvin, 2005)
Micropalaeontology Palynology
Neogloboquadrina atlantica (sinistral) -
Globorotalia puncticulata -
Globigerina bulloides +
Siphotextularia sculpturata
(1, 7,11)
Neogloboquadrina atlantica (dextral)
+
Uvigerina venusta saxonica -
Ehrenbergina variabilis
(7)
Globorotalia ex. gr. praescitula-zealandica -
Globigerina ciperoensis
+
Uvigerina tenuipustulata -
Asterigerina guerichi staeschei
(7)
Aulacodiscus insignis quadrata -
Aulacodiscus insignis aemulans
(7)
Turrulina alsatica
(2)
Filisphaera filifera -
Habibacysta tectata
(3)
LO Chiropteridium lobospinosum (4)
LO Distatodinium biffii (8)
LO Areosphaeridium diktyoplokus (4)
1 Anthonissen, E. D. 2003. Neogene foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the 16/1-1 and 29/3-1 wells (North Sea Basin) and implications for regional correlations. M.Sc. Thesis, University College London, UK (unpublished)
2 Gradstein, F.M. and Bäckström, S.A., 1996. Cainozoic Biostratigraphy and Palaeobathymetry, northern North Sea and Haltenbanken. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift, 76: 3 - 32.
3 Head, M. J., Riding, J. B., Eidvin, T., Chadwick, R. A.2004. Palynological and foraminiferal biostratigraphy of (Upper Pliocene) Nordland Group mudstones at Sleipner, northern North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 21: 277-297.
4 Knox, R. W. O'B. and Holloway, S., 1992. Paleogene of the Central and Northern North Sea. In Knox, R. W. O'B. and Cordey, W. G. (eds.), Lithostratigraphic nomenclature of the UK North Sea, Nottingham: British Geological Survey, 133 pp.
5 Müller, C., and Spiegler, D., 1993. Revision of late/middle Miocene boundary on the Voering Plateau (ODP Leg 104). Newsletter on Stratigraphy, 28:171-178.
6 Piasecki, S., Gregersen, U. and Johannessen, P. N. 2002. Lower Pliocene dinoflagellate cysts from cored Utsira Formation in the Viking Graben, northern North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 19: 55-67.
7 Rundberg, Y. & Eidvin, T. 2005. Controls on depositional history and architecture of the Oligocene-Miocene succession, northern North Sea Basin. In: Onshore-Offshore Relationships on the North Atlantic Margin (eds.: B.T.G. Wandås et al.), Norwegian Petroleum Society Special Publications, 12: 207-239.
8 Smelror, M. Channell, J.E.T., Gradstein, F.M. & Anthonissen, E., 2004. A Neogene dinoflagellate cyst biozonation for the Norwegian-Greenland Sea. Abstract XI International Palynological Congress, Granada, Poland, 14: 471.
9 Spiegler, D., and Jansen, E.1989. Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of Norwegian Sea sediments: ODP Leg 104. In: Eldholm, O. et al. (eds.),Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, 104: 681-696.
10 Spiegler, D., and Müller, C., 1992. Correlation of Bolboforma zonation and nannoplankton stratigraphy in the Neogene of the North Atlantic: DSDP Sites 12-116, 49-408, 81-555 and 94-608. Marine Micropaleontology, 20:45-58.
11 Wilkinson, I. P. The biostratigraphical and palaeo-ecological application of calcareous microfaunas from the Utsira Formation in Norwegian Well 15/9-A-23. British Geological Survey Technical Report WH99/124R (unpublished).
Well log data courtesy of Harald Brunstad, RWE-DEA
Assemblages Zones Assemblages Zones
Neogloboquadrina atlantica (dextral) -
N. pachyderma (dextral) -
Cibicides grossa
(1,3)
Bolboforma badenensis - B. reticulata
+
Uvigerina pygmea langeri -
U. pygmaea langenfeldensis (7)
N. pachyderma
(dex.) Zone -
“Upper” N. atlantica
(dex.) Zone (11)
N. atlantica (s)
Zone (11) /
N. atlantica Zone
(NSR11) (2)
“Lower” N. atlantica (d)
Zone (11) /
Ehrenbergina variabilis
Zone (NSR9B) (2)
B. badenensis
Zone -
B. reticulata
Zone (10)
Globorotalia praescitula
Zone (NSR9A) (2)
Catapsydrax unicavus
Zone (NSR8B) (2)
“Siliceous
biofacies”
(2)
Turrulina alsatica
Zone (NSR7) (2)
Reticulatosphaera actinocoronata -
Selenopemphix armageddonensis -
Hystrichokolpoma rigaudiae -
Amiculosphaera umbracula -
Invertocysta lacrymosa -
(6)
Figure 4
F. filifera
Zone (8)
R. actinocoronata
Zone (8)

GROUPS East Shetland Platform/
Horda platform
W
North Viking Graben
E W E
MONTEROSE GROUP MORAY GROUP
CHALK
GROUP
8837 (4) 21.10.04
DORNOCH FORMATION
Figure 5
Upper
Domoch
Sandstone
Domoch
Mudstone
Lower
Domoch
Sandstone
Heimdal.
Member
Ty
Member
Ty
Member
?
SELE
FM.
?
S1
Hermod
Member
LISTA FM.
S2a
Hermod
Member
L3
L2
L1
V2
V1
EKOFISK FM.
SELE
FM.
VÅLE
FM.
L2
S1
L3
L1
V1
Solund
Member
S2a
Solund
Member
V2
Egga
Member
Sotra
Member
Egga
Member
?
Stord basin
W E
Hermod
Member
SELE
FM.
VÅLE
FM.
S2a
S1
V1
V2
?
?
?
LISTA FM.
?
?
?
?
NORTHERN NORTH SEA
?
?
L3
L2
L1
NE Fladen Ground Spur /
South Viking Graben
W E
DORNOCH FORMATION
Upper
Domoch
Sandstone
Lower
Domoch
Sandstone
Ty
Member
Ty
Member
Hermod
Member
Heimdal.
Member
Hermod
Member
LISTA FM.
EKOFISK FM.
SELE
FM.
VÅLE
FM.
S2a
S1
L3
L2
L1
V2
V1
Central Graben
W E
Cromarty
Member
Forties
Member
Andrew
Member
SELE
FM.
L2
LISTA FM.
Maureen
Member
Maureen Carb.
Maureen
Member
S2b
VÅLE
FM.
S2a
S1b
S1a
EKOFISK FM.
L3
L1
V2
V1
Norwegian Danish
Basin
W E
BALDER FORMATION B2
B2
BALDER
B2
BALDER
B2 BALDER B2
BALDER
B2
Beauly V V V
B1
V
Odin
Member V V V V V V
B1
V
Radøy
Member V V V
FORMATION
V V V V V V
B1
V Beauly
FORMATION
V V V V V V V
B1
V V
FORMATION
V V V V V
B1
V V V
FORMATION
V V V V V V B1
Member
S3
S3
S3
Member
S3
S3
S3
Kolga
Member
Kolga Member
S1
L3
VÅLE
FM.
Kolga
Member
Kolga Member
Siri
Member
?
?
S2a
Fiskebank
?
Member
VÅLE
FM. V2
V1
Fiskebank
Member
L2
L1
Siri Valley
W E
BALDER
FORMATION
V V V V
S3
V V V V
SELE
FM.
LISTA FM.
VÅLE
FM.
S2b
S2a
S1b
S1a
L3
Kolga
Member
L2
Kolga
Member
Siri
Member
Siri
Member
Borr
Member
Borr
Member
Fiskebank
Member
Fiskebank
Member
V1
B2
B1
L1
V2
Key
biomarkers
Fenestrella
antiqua
D. oebisfeldensis
acme
Apectodinium
augustum
S. spectabilis
acme
Apectodinium
augustum
A. margarita
A. gippingensis
P. pyrophorum
C. lenticularis
I. viborgence
S. beccariiformis
acme
G. pseudobulloides
S. inornata
AGE
Early Eocene
Late Paleocene
Early
Paleocene
GR.
ROGALAND GROUP

Classification: Internal Status: Draft Expiry Date: 2009-02-04
Current Mid-Norway Lithostrat. Norwegian Sea Lithostratigraphy (NORLEX)
(Dalland et al, 1988) (proposed this study)
Group
Formation
(mainly devised for Trøndelags
Platform)
Group
Formation
VØRING BASIN,
Dønna & Halten Terraces
Members
VESTFJORDEN BASIN MØRE BASIN
Hvithval
Member
Grindhval
Member
S pringer
Formation
Springer
Formation
(new) (new) Maastrichtian
Nise Formation
Nise
Formation
Spekkhogger Member Campanian
(new) Nebbhval Member
Shetland Group (new)
Fig. 6
Kvitnos Formation
Kvitnos
Formation
Tumler Member Kvitskjæving Member
Lysing Formation Lysing Member Lysing Member Tunge Member
( new)
( new
status)
( new
status)
( new)
Shetland
Group Skolest Member
(re-defined base) Blålange Formation (new) LATE
(new formation) Turonian CRETACEOUS
(previously Breiflabb Member
Lange Formation 'upper' Lange) (new) Skrubbe Member
Cromer Knoll Gapeflyndre Member
Group Smørflyndre Member (new)
(new) Cenomanian
Sandflyndre Member
(new)
Cromer Knoll
Lange Formation
(re-defined) Langebarn Member Albian
Group
(re-defined top)
(prev. 'lower' Lange) (new)
Aptian
Barremian EARLY
Lyr Formation
Lyr
Formation
CRETACEOUS
Hauterivian
Valanginian
( new)
(new)
Age
Santonian
Coniacian
Berriasian
MAC1novt08

Figure 7

Figure 9