Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 121-126, 1992

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

THE RED SEA--GULF OF ADEN: HYDROCARBON EVALUATION
OF MULTINATIONAL SEDIMENTARY BASINS
The methodology of regional cooperation

T. E. O'Connor*

*Principal Petroleum Engineer, The World Bank, Washington, USA.

Abstract

Successful hydrocarbon exploration in frontier basins of the developing world is mutually beneficial to the oil industry, and for the economic development of the country concerned. Exploration has proved to be difficult when the basin is overlain by two or more countries. A market survey of the petroleum industry indicated that, to be successful, promotional efforts should include the entire frontier basin rather than one part of it. The Red Sea/Gulf of Aden Basin was chosen by the World Bank as a prototype of regional basin promotion for reasons both of geology and economic development.