Lofoten Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element, Norwegian Rifted Margin, Norwegian Sea

The Lofoten Rifted Margin is a composite tectono-sedimentary element (CTSE), located offshore northern Norway, and comprises the northernmost part of the Norwegian Sea margin at its transition to the West Barents Sea margin. We refine the late Paleozoic–early Cenozoic evolution of the margin with emphasis on the late Mesozoic–early Cenozoic rift phases, and we provide new and better-refined structural elements for the area. Distinct along-margin segmentation is evident and is imposed by transfer zones/systems that reflect the structural inheritance. These divide the study area into three main margin segments, namely the Lofoten, Vesterålen and Andøya segments, that are accounted for by observed along-margin tectonostratigraphic changes and are briefly viewed in a conjugate margin setting. Confirmed and potential plays within five main reservoir groups are also described and evaluated.