North Sea petroleum exploration

Abstract

Summary After some twenty years of exploration for oil and gas, the North Sea province has emerged as the most important hydrocarbon province of Western Europe. The recoverable reserves to date discovered in the offshore area are of the order of 25 × 10 9 bbls of oil and condensate, and 100 × 10 12 scf of gas. A summary review of the history of North Sea exploration and the development of the main ‘plays’ is treated in three periods and followed by a synopsis of the complex North Sea basin evolution and sedimentary fill characteristics. Structural style and reservoir development of the hydrocarbon traps is considered in conjunction with their timely sourcing by the relevant organic-rich sediments. In conclusion, a speculative view is given on the future of exploration in an area where the most obvious plays have been extensively explored.