Rockall could be key to new oil and gas fields

Experts say potential wells hidden in rock formations

EXPERTS believe there may be reserves of oil and gas in areas around Scotland’s coast that have previously been ruled out.

Geologists at Aberdeen University said there are potential wells after examining oil in rock formations around Rockall, about 300 miles off the mainland’s west coast.

Previous attempts to find hydrocarbons in Rockall have been largely unsuccessful, with only one gas discovery out of 12 wells drilled.

But geologists say past exploration has concentrated in the wrong areas. Only 12 wells have been drilled in the Rockall Basin, compared to 4,000 in the North Sea. A small amount of gas was discovered in one well.

Geologist Dr Nick Schofield said: “The Rockall Basin is one of the most challenging environments on earth when it comes to hydrocarbon explorations, but our analysis has revealed one of the barriers to success may have been a misunderstanding of the subsurface geology.

“By analysing seismic data, and using what we have learned through our work in the Faroe-Shetland Basin, we found the character of areas where operators hoped to find oil may have been misleading.”

While the discovery does not guarantee large reserves of oil will be found in the area, experts describe it as “very much a starter for ten” in terms of their understanding of what is going on in Rockall and suggests further exploration is required.

Dr Schofield explained 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 it is hoped 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,” he said.

“We believe the oil and gas is more likely to have migrated to the outer fringes of Rockall instead, away from these previous exploration targets.

“What we are ultimately working towards is the most detailed geological understanding for Rockall that will be made freely available to industry as part of efforts to maximise economic recovery in the UK continental shelf.”

Nick Richardson, of the Oil and Gas Authority, said: “The seismic acquisition programme and subsequent work by Aberdeen and Heriot Watt universities are an important part of our strategy to revitalise exploration.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour said the UK Government should intervene to protect vital North Sea assets threatened by the oil price downturn.

A motion will be put before the party’s spring conference in Perth urging both the UK and Scottish governments to temporarily buy crucial oil and gas infrastructure that risks being scrapped.

And Oil and Gas UK, the body that represents the energy section, has said the industry is getting its head above water after posting negative tax receipts for the first time in 2015-16.

Figures for last year show the Treasury put £24 million more into investment and decommissioning than it got back in petroleum revenue tax – the first time the oil balance sheet has been in the red since records began in 1968-69.

‘‘ We found the character of areas where operators hoped to find oil may have been misleading

KNITWEAR giant Pringle has long been synonymous with golfers and the Scots company has stayed true to its roots in its latest collection unveiled at London Fashion Week.

The Hawick-based firm appears to have have teamed up the classic Argyle-adapted pattern with what appears to be a traditional waterproof style jacket.

Initially, the company simply produced hosiery and underwear but has been producing cashmere since as early as 1870.

The twinset and ancient Scottish pattern became popular with Hollywood stars such as Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot and remains very much high fashion.