The Brae Field of the North Sea is within the Viking Graben (Fig. 1). It has been suggested that the source of the oils in several fields in the

SUMMARY: The Brae area of the North Sea has at least two types of crude oils present. Kimmeridgian shales arethe source for both oils. The geologic setting, based on a fan delta model, is similar for both and, as expected, the oils are similar in many ways. No significant differences appear in maturity, carbon isotopic ratios or gas chromatographic analyses. The oils can be distinguished, however, by use of multiple geochemical parameters. Quantities and various ratios of pristane, phytane, normal paraffins and gasoline range components are characteristic for each area of Brae. Relative amounts of saturates and aromatics and GC/MS patterns are also useful characterization methods