Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 387-416, 1991

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

THE EARLY TO "MIDDLE" CRETACEOUS LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY
OF THE CENTRAL NORTH SEA (UK SECTOR)

S. Crittenden*, J. Cole* and C. Harlow*

* Geolink UK Ltd, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB2 8EW

Abstract

A revised lilhostratigraphical framework of the Early to "Middle" Cretaceous strata of the Central North Sea (UK sector) derived from the rigorous examination of more than 100 commercial boreholes is presented. Previously published frameworks have tended toward oversimplification of the Early to "Middle" Cretaceous as the interval was considered initially to be of minor importance with regard to prospectivity. However, there is a general feeling in the industry that the Early to "Middle" Cretaceous is prospective, particularly with regard to subtle stratigraphical traps like the Kilda/Bosun and Scapa fields. It is inevitable that as more attention, due to hydrocarbon exploration, is paid to an interval that the stratigraphical models used progress from the simplistic to the complex. The framework presented here is the result of a pragmatic approach in that it is based upon the integration of previously published schemes, with the erection of new units derived from new analyses and interpretation. The complete lithostratigraphical framework is defined, explained and discussed with reference to borehole examples in the Central North Sea.