Study gives new hope for Rockall Basin exploration

Geologists from the University of Aberdeen have studied the latest seismic data supplied by the UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) to identify potential future exploration opportunities in the Rockall Basin area of the North Atlantic, signaling  new hope for exploration. 

The University stated that most previous attempts to find hydrocarbons in Rockall were unsuccessful, with only one gas discovery out of the 12 wells drilled.

People behind the study believe that misconceptions regarding the character of the Basin – as well as challenging weather conditions and a lack of supporting infrastructure due to its remoteness – have hampered these exploration efforts.

Nick Schofield from the University’s Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology led the analysis, which was funded by a £250,000 award ($310,000 at current rates) from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) as part of its Frontier Basins Research effort to boost future exploration in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

He said: “The Rockall Basin is one of the most challenging environments on Earth when it comes to hydrocarbon exploration. By analyzing seismic data provided by the OGA and Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), and using what we have learned through our work in the Faroe-Shetland Basin, we found that the character of areas where operators hoped to find oil may have been misleading.”

Schofield explained that one issue is the previous targeting of so-called ‘bumps’ in the sub-surface, commonly referred to in the industry as a ‘four-way closure,’ where companies hope oil has been trapped.

“In the case of Rockall, these bumps, in many cases, appear to have been caused by volcanic intrusions in the sub-surface. We believe that the oil and gas is more likely to have migrated to the outer fringes of Rockall instead, away from these previous exploration targets,” said Schofield

The study conducted by the University of Aberdeen identified the eastern edge of the Basin against the Outer Hebrides Shelf as an area of interest for future exploration activity. Looking ahead, work on understanding the area’s potential through the valuable seismic data provided by the OGA, PGS, GeoPartners, and Spectrum Geo will continue.

“We have also collected data from an aerial drone we have used to map outcrops, for example, Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye, where the rock structure is similar to what you would find in the subsurface and helps us visualize what we can’t see.

“What we are ultimately working towards is the most detailed geological understanding for Rockall which will be made freely available to the industry as part of efforts to maximize economic recovery in the UKCS.”

Nick Richardson, OGA Head of Exploration and New Ventures, said: “The seismic acquisition program and subsequent work by Aberdeen and Heriot-Watt universities are an important part of our strategy to revitalize exploration.

“The findings of Dr. Schofield’s paper demonstrate the value in applying the latest geological knowledge and understanding to seismic data to increase industry’s awareness of the opportunities that still exist in frontier areas.”