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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1992; v. 65; p. 179-184;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1992.065.01.13
© 1992 Geological Society of London

Fractures and Stress

In situ stress orientations in the Witch Ground Graben, North Sea, revealed by borehole breakouts: preliminary results

S. M. Cowgill1, P. G. Meredith1, S. A. F. Murrell1 & N. R. Brereton2

1 Department of Geological Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
2 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK

Directions of minimum horizontal stress ({sigma}h) derived from borehole breakouts are presented for seven boreholes in the Witch Ground Graben, North Sea. We have found a clear tendency for a dominant N-S (more accurately a NNW-SSE) direction of {sigma}h, approximately perpendicular to the graben axis. However, significant variations from this general trend were encountered even within this relatively small area, especially within the boreholes from the Tartan and Highlander fields. Contrasts in local structure and lithology within the area may explain these differences although such contrasts have yet to be quantified.

Broad regional trends of {sigma}h are apparent throughout Northwest Europe, although previously published data show a certain amount of variability. It has been shown that the minimum compressive stress direction changes significantly across many of the graben structures within the North Sea basin, and this also appears to be the case within the Witch Ground Graben.





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