A cross-border approach to exploration, appraisal and development is important in mature basins such as the North Sea, where the ‘low hanging fruit’ have long gone. This approach emphasizes the need to see the basin as one geological entity, in order to maximize economic recovery and prepare the area for the energy transition. This volume offers an up-to-date, ‘geology-without-borders’ view of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonics and oil-and-gas exploration trends of the entire North Sea basin, along with the challenges associated with differences in data continuity and nomenclature across median lines. This volume includes overviews of cross-border play statistics, lithostratigraphic naming conventions and exploration performance through to new facies models for cross-border areas. As such, this volume will be a valuable reference for every geoscientist working in the North Sea for years to come.

A cross-border approach to exploration, appraisal and development is important in mature basins such as the North Sea, where the 'low hanging fruit' have long gone. This approach emphasizes the need to see the basin as one geological entity, in order to maximize economic recovery and prepare the area for the energy transition. This volume offers an up-to-date, 'geology-without-borders' view of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonics and oil-and-gas exploration trends of the entire North Sea basin, along with the challenges associated with differences in data continuity and nomenclature across median lines. This volume includes overviews of cross-border play statistics, lithostratigraphic naming conventions and exploration performance through to new facies models for cross-border areas.

A cross-border approach to exploration, appraisal and development is important in mature areas, such as the Atlantic Margin, and in frontier areas, such as the Barents Sea. An approach of this nature emphasizes the need to see the basin as one geological entity to maximize economic recovery and prepare the area for the energy transition. This volume offers an up-to-date, ‘geology-without-borders’ view of the stratigraphy, sedimentology and tectonics trends in these areas. It also looks at the challenges associated with differences in data continuity and nomenclature across median lines. A companion volume (SP494), Cross-Border Themes in Petroleum Geology I: The North Sea, provides a similar cross-border analysis for the North Sea Basin across the offshore boundaries of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. Cross-Border Themes in Petroleum Geology II: Atlantic Margin and Barents Sea will be a valuable reference for every geoscientist working in the Atlantic Margin and the Barents Sea for years to come.

This volume offers an up-to-date 'geology-without-borders' view of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonics and oil-and-gas exploration trends of the entire Atlantic Margin and Barents Sea basin. The challenges associated with data continuity and nomenclature differences across median lines are discussed and mitigated. Examples of under-exploited cross-border plays and discoveries are discussed.

Since the 3rd edition of this publication, emphasis within the petroleum industry has shifted from exploration to appraisal and development of existing hydrocarbon resources. This change is reflected in this new 4th edition, which has been significantly expanded to accomodate additional material. The centrepiece of the book, however, remains a series of descriptions, in stratigraphic order, of the depositional history and hydrocarbon related rock units of the North Sea.

The Black Sea remains one of the largest underexplored rift basins in the world. Future success is dependent on a better understanding of a number of geological uncertainties. These include reservoir and source rock presence and quality, and the timing of migration of hydrocarbons relative to trap formation. An appreciation of the geological history of the Black Sea basins and the surrounding orogens is therefore key. The timing of basin formation, uplift of the margins, and of facies distribution remain issues for robust debate. This Special Publication presents the results of 15 studies that relate to the tectono-stratigraphy and petroleum geology of the Black Sea. The methodologies of these studies encompass crustal structure, geodynamic evolution, stratigraphy and its regional correlation, petroleum systems, source to sink, hydrocarbon habitat and play concepts, and reviews of past exploration. They provide insight into the many ongoing controversies concerning Black Sea regional geology and provide a better understanding of the geological risks that must be considered for future hydrocarbon exploration.