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Exploration, geology, and potential of the North Sea

Journal Article · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
North Sea exploration was triggered by the discovery of the giant Slochteren gas field in NE. Holland in 1959. Once the international boundary lines on the continental shelf were ratified according to the premises of the Geneva Convention, the stage was set for intense exploration. Initially, exloration activities were concentrated in the southern UK basin where gas discoveries were made in the Permian Rotliegendes sandstone, underlying the Zechstein evaporites. It was the presence of the evaporites which had a great effect on the course of exploration. They formed an efficient caprock for Permian dolomites and sandstones, but also created seismic velocity problems which confused structural interpretations. Additionally, salt acted as the medium for structural deformation of the younger sediments, a factor which was to prove to be very important in the N. Tertiary basin, particularly in the Ekofisk area.
Research Organization:
Phillips Petroleum Co.
OSTI ID:
6735879
Journal Information:
Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 57:9; ISSN AAPGB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English