Abstract
The UK Rockall Basin is one of the most under explored areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) with only 12 exploration wells drilled since 1980. With only one discovery made in 2000 (Benbecula (154/1-1) Gas discovery), the general view of the basin from an exploration viewpoint is not positive. However, over the last 15 years, our knowledge of the petroleum systems of the Atlantic Margin has substantially increased. With the recent acquisition of new seismic data by the UK Government as part of the OGA's Frontiers Basin Research Program, it is a pertinent time to re-examine the prospectivity of the UK Rockall Basin.This paper presents a history of exploration within the UK Rockall Basin, from the first well drilled in the Basin in 1980, to the last well, drilled in 2006. We then present new insights into the lack of success during exploration within the basin, in particular by focussing on the extensive early Cenozoic volcanic rocks within Rockall, to illustrate the wide range of potential interactions with the petroleum system. We also present evidence that points to the potential of a viable intra-basaltic (Rosebank) type play along the eastern flank of the Rockall Basin.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Petroleum Geology of NW Europe |
| Subtitle of host publication | 50 Years of Learning : Proceedings of the 8th Petroleum Geology Conference |
| Editors | M Bowman, B Levell |
| Place of Publication | Bath |
| Publisher | Geological Society of London |
| Pages | 211-229 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Volume | 8 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-78620-277-2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
| Event | 8th Petroleum Geology Conference - Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, United Kingdom Duration: 28 Sept 2015 → 30 Sept 2015 |
Publication series
| Name | Petroleum Geology Conference series |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Geological Society, London |
| Volume | 8 |
| ISSN (Print) | 2047-9921 |
Conference
| Conference | 8th Petroleum Geology Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | London |
| Period | 28/09/15 → 30/09/15 |
Bibliographical note
We would like to acknowledge the two reviewers, Tony Dore and Clayton Grove for their constructive, positive and enthusiastic reviews which substantially improved this manuscript. The editor Matt Allen is thanked for encouragement and support in putting the paper together. We acknowledge a governmental research grant from the Oil and Gas Authority Frontier Basins Research Program and British Government for funding the project “Evaluating the Prospectivity ofthe Rockall Trough – Towards a Complete View of the Petroleum System West of Britain”. Schofield would like to acknowledge the 8th Petroleum Geology of Northwest Europe Conference for the DG Roberts/Peter Zeigler Best Paper Award. This contribution forms part of the theme “Key Future Geoscience Challenges” held at the 8th Petroleum Geology Conference. We would like to Acknowledge PGS for the donation of datasets in Rockall, and for continued support of research. CDA are acknowledged for providing publically released well and seismic data. Spectrum Geophysical are also thanked for donation of data for research in the Rockall. Interpretation was carried out using IHS Kingdom software. WGM 2012 gravity data courtesy of International Gravimetric Bureau. Maersk are thanked for use of Gravity Maps.