The Cretaceous to Eocene deep-water hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Norwegian Sea were deposited during four main tectonic stages from continental rifting to oceanic drift: 1) Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous continental rifting, 2) Early to Late Cretaceous post-rift subsidence, 3) Late Cretaceous/Paleocene continental rifting and 4) Post Paleocene oceanic drift –stage. The mode of deposition of reservoir rocks changed significantly between these stages, and the reservoir geometry, quality and the spatial reservoir distribution where controlled by three main factors: 1) sediment source area, 2) sediment transport system and 3) geometry of the receiving basin. The understanding of these factors and their effects on deep-water reservoir development to the tectonic development from rifting to drifting are vital when exploring deep-water hydrocarbon reservoirs in basins like the Norwegian Sea.