2) contain introductory material regarding ge Historical Background ology and petroleum exploration techniques Only a few decades ago knowledge of the off which we trust will help the non-specialist, in shore geology west of Britain and Ireland was conjunction with some of the more general ref limited to a scattering of seabed samples. Dur follow the main erences cited in the text, to ing the last twenty five years, however, the parts of the chapters and the text figures. This tempo of geological investigation has gradu first chapter also contains a small amount of ally increased. The framework and outline ge introductory material concerning the opening ology of the western seaboard is now known, of the North Atlantic Ocean which should help although a great deal, some of it fundamental to lead into the more detailed account which in nature, still remains to be elucidated. Sev follows, and also help in the understanding of eral commercial and sub-commercial hydrocar some of the points made in later chapters. bon discoveries have been made and are being Credit must go to university departments, produced, . developed or investigated. A sus and later the Institute of Geological Sciences, tained phase of exploration drilling is antici for their parts in initially establishing the pated in the next five years in the Western existence of, and geological outlines for, the Approaches - Celtic Sea area and to the west offshore basins along the western seaboard of Britain and Ireland.

2) contain introductory material regarding ge Historical Background ology and petroleum exploration techniques Only a few decades ago knowledge of the off which we trust will help the non-specialist, in shore geology west of Britain and Ireland was conjunction with some of the more general ref limited to a scattering of seabed samples. Dur follow the main erences cited in the text, to ing the last twenty five years, however, the parts of the chapters and the text figures. This tempo of geological investigation has gradu first chapter also contains a small amount of ally increased. The framework and outline ge introductory material concerning the opening ology of the western seaboard is now known, of the North Atlantic Ocean which should help although a great deal, some of it fundamental to lead into the more detailed account which in nature, still remains to be elucidated. Sev follows, and also help in the understanding of eral commercial and sub-commercial hydrocar some of the points made in later chapters. bon discoveries have been made and are being Credit must go to university departments, produced, . developed or investigated. A sus and later the Institute of Geological Sciences, tained phase of exploration drilling is antici for their parts in initially establishing the pated in the next five years in the Western existence of, and geological outlines for, the Approaches - Celtic Sea area and to the west offshore basins along the western seaboard of Britain and Ireland.

This volume addresses the challenges facing explorers and developers alike in a region that is becoming a major focus of the petroleum industry in the United Kingdom, Faroes and North Norway. Several West of Shetland fields are still in the appraisal phase almost a decade after discovery. Sub-volcanic exploration risks remain high: sub-volcanic structural traps are imaged poorly, and so the geophysical community is responding with the application of latest technology. The more simple reservoirs might not be large enough to prompt informed and speedy development decisions; larger fields might have a combination of complexities, requiring a phased approach to the development. Infrastructure has been slow to arrive and planned developments have been subject to dramatic swings in fiscal regime ranging from special allowances to unexpected tax increases. Environmental challenges are significant when moving into more remote, deeper water. The perception of these challenges by the third parties has become much more acute. To sustain its right to operate, the industry has to demonstrate safe drilling operations and appropriate response capability with government agencies.

During the past few years, a number of factors have combined to create renewed petroleum exploration interest in the sedimentary basins that virtually surround Ireland. This volume presents a comprehensive review of the results of recent exploration and production data, and points to possible future trends in exploration activity in the area. it includes contributions from most of the major oil companies active in the region, and covers the full geographical and stratigraphical spectrum of the Irish offshore basins, together with some adjacent and geologically related regions.