Successful petroleum exploration requires a good control of how various geological processes affects the petroleum system. Tectonor offers detailed analyses and studies of various tectonic and geological processes and their effects on petroleum systems, in order to improve the decision making process for the petroleum industry. Since 2009, Tectonor has provided licensing round studies and regional research projects on sedimentary basins in the Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea and the North Sea, as well as areas outside the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The effect of glaciations and ice ages has gained great interest from the petroleum industry due to its effect on basin temperature, hydrocarbon generation and maturation, and late hydrocarbon migration. Tectonor provides studies on the impact of glaciations on petroleum systems, which includes glacial erosion modelling, modelling of isostatic uplift and subsequent tilting of reservoirs, temperature effects, stress effects on faults, and more. Studies on the effects of glaciations are relevant to petroleum exploration in the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea, and other glaciated areas worldwide.

Magmatic intrusions greatly affect the temperature history of a sedimentary basin. Understanding the effect of magmatic intrusions is important for the prediction of hydrocarbon potential, and for the quality of traps and reservoir formations in volcanic areas. Tectonor provides basin modelling studies including the temperature effects of magmatic sills, and how this affects petroleum systems. Petroleum systems in the Norwegian Sea and parts of the Barents Sea may have been affected by magmatic intrusions.

Timing of the evolution of salt structures may be crucial for petroleum exploration. Tectonor provide studies on the development of salt structures, temperature effects, and salt-related deformation. Areas related to salt diapirism on the Norwegian Continental shelf can be found in the North Sea as well as the Barents Sea.