Abstract
This thesis represents the findings concerning core samples from 15 examined exploration wells (with a total of 91 samples) on the eastern flank of the Viking Graben, North Sea, that were classified as dry by NPD (meaning no discovery of oil and gas). These samples were studied using geochemical methodology and analytical methods to evaluate if there might exist the remains of migrated oil or gas. Sample selection at NPD was based on apparent coloration or staining of the sandstone cores. The samples were disintegrated manually to yield a sand fraction which was extracted with DCM:MeOH (93:7vol%). The geochemical techniques applied to the bitumen thus produced are, gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), Iatroscan thin layer chromatography-flame ionization detection (TLC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition was the sand fraction crushed in a sling mill to produce gas from inclusions and this was analyzed using GC-FID.