Abstract
The Faroe-Shetland Basin (FSB) is one of the only significant exploration frontiers
remaining on the UK Continental Shelf. Over half of the basin’s discovered reserves and resources lie along two intra-basinal highs, the Corona Ridge and Rona Ridge. In contrast to the Rona Ridge, the central-northern Corona Ridge has received much less attention. To reveal new insights into the geology, structural configuration, and hydrocarbon prospectivity of the central-northern Corona Ridge we analyse 3D seismic data and data from exploration wells 213/23-1 (Eriboll), 214/21a-2 (South Uist) and 213/25c-1V (North Uist). This study extends the Colsay T40-T45 sub- and intrabasaltic play concept from the Rosebank Field NE along the Corona Ridge, at least into 213/23-1. Analysis also suggests that no Triassic strata are present within 213/23-1, challenging the previous understanding of Triassic distribution within the central FSB. Our findings show that the central northern Corona Ridge is structurally complex, comprised of a series of discrete basement bounding faults, down-flank fault terraces and faults which are oblique to the dominant NE-SW-striking
structural fabrics of the FSB
remaining on the UK Continental Shelf. Over half of the basin’s discovered reserves and resources lie along two intra-basinal highs, the Corona Ridge and Rona Ridge. In contrast to the Rona Ridge, the central-northern Corona Ridge has received much less attention. To reveal new insights into the geology, structural configuration, and hydrocarbon prospectivity of the central-northern Corona Ridge we analyse 3D seismic data and data from exploration wells 213/23-1 (Eriboll), 214/21a-2 (South Uist) and 213/25c-1V (North Uist). This study extends the Colsay T40-T45 sub- and intrabasaltic play concept from the Rosebank Field NE along the Corona Ridge, at least into 213/23-1. Analysis also suggests that no Triassic strata are present within 213/23-1, challenging the previous understanding of Triassic distribution within the central FSB. Our findings show that the central northern Corona Ridge is structurally complex, comprised of a series of discrete basement bounding faults, down-flank fault terraces and faults which are oblique to the dominant NE-SW-striking
structural fabrics of the FSB
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 2021-090 |
| Number of pages | 27 |
| Journal | Petroleum Geoscience |
| Volume | 28 |
| Early online date | 27 Sept 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2022 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgementsThis paper forms part of the lead author’s Ph.D. research conducted as part
of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Oil and Gas at the University of Aberdeen. It is funded by the University of Aberdeen and sponsored by Total E&P UK Limited, whose support is gratefully acknowledged. PGS are thanked for the generous provision of the FSB MegaSurveyPlus seismic dataset to the Ph.D. project and also for permission to
publish part of the dataset (Fig. 3). This paper contains information provided by the North Sea Transition Authority and/or other third parties. Seismic data used throughout this paper were purchased from the UK North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) National Data Repository (NDR) portal. Well data used throughout this paper are freely available and can be downloaded from the
UK NSTA NDR portal. Core photographs were obtained from the BGS Offshore well database. Seismic interpretation was undertaken using Schlumberger Petrel software and well log interpretation was performed using Schlumberger Techlog software, of which academic licenses were kindly provided by Schlumberger and are gratefully acknowledged. Thanks to Conrado Climent, Ole-Petter Hansen, Michael Hertle, Anders Madsen, and Stuart Archer for invaluable discussions during the lead author’s time spent working with TotalEnergies in Copenhagen. Thanks also to Christopher Bugg and Matthew Rowlands at TotalEnergies in Aberdeen. Reviewers Tony Doré, Peter Dromgoole and Clayton Grove are thanked for their detailed constructive reviews which improved this manuscript. The views held within this paper do not necessarily represent the views of Schlumberger, TotalEnergies and Ørsted.
Funding: The University of Aberdeen (grant number: RT10121-14), Natural Environment Research Council Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Oil and Gas (grant number: NE/M00578X/1) and Total E&P UK Limited. Principal award-recipient: Lucinda Kate Layfield.