BGS Irish Sea Final May 2016: Palaeozoic Petroleum Systems Study

May 2016 study by the British Geological Survey petroleum geoscience team, created for the 21st Century Exploration Roadmap. It evaluates the remaining petroleum potential of overlooked areas of the UK Continental Shelf, focusing on Carboniferous and Devonian plays. Results include seismic, well, and gravity interpretations, burial/uplift/maturity modelling, and palaeographic reconstructions.

Use Cases

• Model petroleum system maturity based on burial/uplift modelling mentioned in the description.
• Identify prospective hydrocarbon plays based on integrated seismic and well interpretations.
• Reconstruct palaeogeography to inform exploration strategies in frontier areas.
• Assess source rock potential using the geochemistry studies referenced.

Strengths

• Incorporates onshore data and knowledge, providing a more complete geological context.
• Results are peer-reviewed project outputs, suggesting a level of quality assurance.
• Involves a consortium of over 45 oil companies, indicating industry relevance.

Limitations

• Outputs are at a regional scale and created for project-specific purposes, limiting granularity.
• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, complicating suitability assessment.
• Data is not a BGS corporate product, which may affect long-term support.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey petroleum geoscience team.

Collection Method

Multidisciplinary study integrating seismic, well, and gravity interpretations with modelling.

Time Range

Study finalized in May 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-18 11:13:26.268151; freshness should be verified.

Geography

UK Continental Shelf, with a focus on the Irish Sea area, Mid North Sea High, Orcadian Basin, and East Shetland Platform.