Northern Ireland - the last great frontier?

摘要

It's not deep, it's not hostile - it's just unexplored. Europe's Carboniferous basins have long been prolific sources of hydrocarbons and characterize many of the fields in and around the North Sea. But one of these basins is virtually overlooked. The Larne Basin in Northern Ireland is a classic Carboniferous basin that has remained unexplored for a couple of reasons. Firstly, historical "troubles" in Northern Ireland deterred the oil companies who were exploring elsewhere onshore and offshore in the U.K. at the time. Secondly, the basin is covered by volcanic basalts that until recently couldn't be properly imaged through with seismic.