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Controls on the Structure, Stratigraphy and Prospectivity of the Mid North Sea High.

Updated: Sep 24, 2019


This month sees the 'open access' release of all the results of my two year postdoctoral research on the Mid North Sea High region through the Oil and Gas Authority Website. The project was completed with Prof John Underhill and Dr Rachel Jamieson at Heriot Watt University, with the support of the Oil and Gas Authority.

 

Download the data here

 

Industry engagement has been central to the success of this research: the results of which were designed to help oil and gas companies make more informed decisions about investing in a relatively under-explored region of the Central North Sea. The project was introduced (alongside two partner studies on the Rockall and Western Approaches Basins) at Petex 2016. An 'interim' release of research outcomes was made to complement to announcement of the UK's 31st Licensing Round, with industry delegates being invited to a very successful Frontier Basins Research Workshop hosted by Heriot Watt University.


Finally, the project concluded with the presentation of the final results at Petex in 2018 as part of the PESGB / Geological Society Collaboration Showcase, where we were delighted to be awarded the prize for 'Best in Show'.

The beautiful award was a section of oil-stained Brent sandstone from the Osprey Field. Prize provided by North Sea Core.


It was standing room only at the Petex session, and I was absolutely blown away with the interest in the research. Following the release of all the research products and results, I decided it may be useful to upload the final Petex presentation for those who could not attend the conference session. The presentation aims to introduce and explain the key outcomes of research project which represents the first complete study of the structural evolution of the MNSH from the Devonian to present day.


Petex 2018 presentation on the Controls on the Structure, Stratigraphy and Prospectivity of the Mid North Sea High.


This study reveals the structural complexity of the MNSH region and how it changes over space and time. The MNSH was originally a series of Devonian-Carboniferous granite-cored highs before becoming a more regional feature in the Permian and Triassic, augmented by influence from Jurassic uplift and rifting to the north. Its expression and control on deposition has been more limited since the beginning of the Cretaceous, and Tertiary tiling of the UK reconfigured the entire basin, resetting sediment accumulation trends. The stages of evolution all have implications for hydrocarbon systems in the area and therefore must be understood in order to fully assess prospectivity.

 

Download the data here

 

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