Palynology of Faroe-Shetland Basin well 205/26a-2 between 2093.77 and 2158.00 m

As part of Phase 3 of the BGS Faroe-Shetland Consortium project on the Jurassic of the UK sector of the Faroe-Shetland Basin, detailed logging of core from well 205/26a-2 was undertaken. Seven core samples were taken for palynology between 2093.77 and 2158.00 m in order to provide age determinations and additional facies information. The interval between 2094.58 and 2104.63 m proved variably palynologically productive. The four palynofloras examined comprise relatively high diversity dinoflagellate cysts, including several marker species. This indicates marine deposition. Due to the presence of dinoflagellate cyst species such as Heslertonia heslertonensis and Scriniodinium pharo, this succession is assigned to the Ryazanian–Valanginian transition (Early Cretaceous). The most likely age is latest Ryazanian (Albidum Zone). The samples at 2093.77, 2157.58 and 2158.00 m all proved to be palynologically barren.