IHS Studies - Europe

Europe is a mature province with the North Sea being a shining star for hydrocarbon production for more than three decades. During the past 35 years, approximately 4,000 exploration and appraisal wells were drilled on the shelf, resulting in more than 250 producing fields and more than 300 significant discoveries. Nearly 60 percent of those wells were drilled in the predominately oil rich north and central North Sea.

Despite a decline in exploration wells drilled, the success rate for wells drilled remains high. Oil and gas production peaked in 2000, and today it remains close to record levels at 4.5 M M boe per day.

This comprehensive study details all aspects of Cretaceous carbonate deposition and diagenesis throughout the Mediterranean region, together with a basin analysis of the area. Cretaceous carbonates formed primarily in platform situations, linked to or isolated from continents, and their porosity development, both primary and secondary, is key to their potential. The analysis in this study involves detailed stratigraphic investigation of both surface and subsurface sections, and more than 300 plates illustrating this aspect of the study include SEMs and photomicrographs. Logs of key sections present lithologies, thicknesses and petrological features. Facies and diagenetic patterns have been estimated from stratigraphic, sedimentological and palaeotectonic studies, in order to determine significant depositional and diagenetic features, particularly as they have affected porosity.

• Detailed examples of petroleum geology and geochemistry are given for 12 Mediterranean countries.
• The report covers over 2,100 pages, and is fully illustrated with over 200 figures, 300 plates, 37 enclosures, 45 tables and over 50 logs.

• Authored in conjunction with over 40 research staff.
• 4 volumes, > 2,000 pages.

3.1.3

Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene Carbonates of the Mediterranean Region
The report provides depositonal and diagenetic models for Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene carbonates which provide useful guides for exploration throughout the Mediterranean and elsewhere, where carbonates provide major potential reservoirs.

3.1.5

Models of Subthrust Plays Western Mediterranean
The study gives particular emphasis to the presentation of maps and structural cross sections illustrating the foldbelts of the region. The report comes lavishly illustrated with over 100 figures and over 70 enclosures including interpreted Landsat images and seismic and well profiles.

Europe Exploration Opportunities Durres and South Adriatic Basins, 1994
A study of the petroleum systems and potential of this underexplored region, analysing offshore Montenegro, Kruja Zone, Albania, onshore Durres Basin, offshore Albania (South Adriatic Basin), Central East, South Albania and Western Epiros, offshore South Albania and Western Greece and the Apulian offshore.

Wide ranging conclusions covering sequence stratigraphy; tectonic control; distribution, facies, diagenesis and burial of reservoir rocks; and identification, maturation and migration of source rocks. Thorough illustrated discussion and conclusions on known and potential plays, including play fairway maps indicating comparative risk. Detailed biostratigraphic analysis on 98 wells, (1,291 palynological samples and 800 micropalaeontological samples), together with examination of 5,843ft of logged core, 186 thin sections, 23 SEM samples and 21 X ray diffraction samples. A basin wide regional correlation based on maximum flooding surfaces which coincide with regional unconformities, removing the complexities of lithostratigraphic nomenclature. This study was used as the foundation of the Sequence Stratigraphy for the Jurassic section of the Millennium Atlas. This significant study can be used to evaluate opportunities, as a data source or regional overview in a sequence stratigraphic context and it is an essential aid in decision making and risk reduction in this important area.

Central Graben Jurassic Reservoir Study, 1990
Covers the UK, Norwegian and Danish Sectors, incorporates data from the majority of released well data and provides a database of 140 wells. Integrates detailed petrography, SEM micrographs, mineral analysis, core logs, biostraigraphy, facies analysis and lithostatigraphic correlations to interpret the Jurassic reservoir sediments.

• Fully illustrated with a wide range of figures.
• Enclosures including 18 maps, 17 correlation panels and 32 core logs.
• Extensive conclusions as to the remaining prospectivity of the Jurassic in this area, including discussions on source rocks, sedimentation, cementation, pressure and depositional environments.
• Study area covers parts of the Central Graben, West Forties Basin, East Buchan Graben, West Buchan Graben, Egursund sub basin and the Norwegian Danish Embayment.
• 109 wells were analysed and the detailed results discussed and tabulated and illustrated
  with core logs.
• 15 regional well correlation panels across the area show the important features linking theNorwegian and UK sectors.
• Study performed in collaboration with British Geological Survey and the Norwegian
  Petroleum Directorate.

• 2 volumes containing the main report and appendices.
• Fully illustrated in colour.

Europe Exploration Opportunities Onshore and Offshore Basins of Sicily, 1996
The report examines the geological and tectonic framework of Sicily and its extension to Tunisia. It includes lithofacies, geological and tectonic maps with stratigraphic correlation sections over all oil and gas fields, plays map, significant interpreted seismic lines and 12 reinterpreted composite logs.

Europe Exploration Opportunities Southern Apennines, 1996
A study of the new deep oil plays of the southern Apennines Western platform carbonates, a challenging, high risk area with rewarding potential to which exploration emphasis has shifted from the classic (historic) plays of the eastern foredeep (Bradanic trough).

Exploration Geology - Geophysics of the Denmark Area
The report provides detailed and in depth analysis of the geological evolution and stratigraphy of the region, with consideration of the source rock potential.