Structure and geological history of sedimentary petroliferous basins in the North Atlantic

Pericontinental sedimentary basins in the northern Atlantic Ocean contain the largest reserves of oil and gas. In the Paleozoic-initial Paleogene period, they were developing as rift grabens subjected to repeated tectonic dislocations. Spreading of the oceanic bottom that started in this region in the Paleocene-Eocene was accompanied by rapid subsidence with accumulation of volcanogenic and turbiditic sediments. All these processes resulted in the formation of a thick sedimentary cover with both oil source and reservoir rocks at its different levels. The region under consideration is unique by the diverse composition and facies types of sediments.