S2:Svalbard Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element, Barents Sea

Late Pennsylvanian to Permian succession; upper part of the Gipsdalen Group and the Tempelfjorden Group. TSE 3: Upper Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian – post rift sag/platform. TSE 4: Lower Permian (Artinskian) to the base Triassic syn rift. The TSE 3 represents post rift or sag basin fill of warm water carbonate ramp facies in Svalbard (Fig. a and f) and is linked to the Upper Paleozoic Arctic giant tropical to sub-tropical carbonate shelf. Renewed extension during TSE 4 time, particularly in western and southern Spitsbergen was accompanied by an abrupt change in climate as recorded by difference in lithology, facies, and fauna. Limestones, dolomites and evaporites representing among others tidal deposits, exposed surfaces, ooid shoals, build ups and salinas with a fauna dominated by corals and foraminifera are characteristic in TSE 3 (Figs a, c, e). In contrast, TSE 4 is dominated by chert (spiculites), less carbonates and rare sandstones and a fauna dominated by sponges, bryozoans, and brachiopods. Both groups show horizons with potential good to excellent reservoir properties with tabular units with moderate to high porosity and permeability (Figs b, c and d).