West of Shetland Broadband 3D Seismic: Progressing Geological Understanding to Delineate Hydrocarbon Resource Potential

Summary The West of Shetlands represents an area of relative immaturity in terms of North Sea exploration; only 7% of the wells drilled on the UKCS between 1973 and 2012 were in this region. However, there is thought to be over 3 billion barrels of oil in the subsurface ( Cannon and Ellis, 2014 ). This study uses a new 3D broadband dataset to address in detail the petroleum system for Palaeocene discoveries, as well as to look at the deeper prospectivity of the Mesozoic fault blocks, fractured basement and the influence of intrusives. A revised interpretation provides insight into the existing Foinaven and Schiehallion discoveries by following the migration of hydrocarbons from source to trap. For example, the survey images the distinct seismic signature of the Kimmeridge Clay Formation source rock and helps to identify the variable depositional setting on a regional scale. This is a step forward in our understanding of the petroleum system of the Faroe-Shetland Basin. The final image identifies both new play concepts, as well as existing play concepts which have been missed. And so, the impact of new technology will extend the exploration area of Europe as it provides a significant uplift from previous seismic imaging.