West of Shetland revisited: the search for stratigraphic traps

Loizou, N.; Andrews, I.J.; Stoker, S.J.; Cameron, D.. 2006 West of Shetland revisited: the search for stratigraphic traps. In: Allen, M.R., (ed.) The deliberate search for the stratigraphic trap. London, UK, Geological Society of London, 225-245. (Geological Society Special Publication, 254).

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Abstract/Summary

The West of Shetland area has scope for the stratigraphic entrapment of hydrocarbons at various Jurassic to Palaeogene stratigraphic levels. Mapping and identification of such traps requires a fundamental understanding of the regional geology, the study of analogues and source kitchens, and a thorough approach to trap validation. Since 1982, 47 exploration wells have been positioned on Paleocene prospects with a significant stratigraphic component, but few have found hydrocarbons — many failing as a result of poor trap definition and overconfidence in the predictive use of amplitude anomalies. Hydrocarbon sourcing of many of the failed prospects was also poorly constrained. Few amplitude-related stratigraphic features could be tied with confidence to a viable source kitchen. The presence of a regional seal is a prerequisite ingredient for a successful Paleocene play. Many remaining undrilled, subtle prospects rely on a stratigraphic trapping component, and high-quality 3D seismic data are seen as an essential search tool. Examples of undrilled prospects are presented from the Paleocene of the northern Faroe-Shetland Basin and the Mesozoic of the East Solan Basin and Corona Ridge.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2006.254.01.12
Programmes:	BGS Programmes > Marine, Coastal and Hydrocarbons
Date made live:	26 Jan 2016 11:33 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/512568

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