OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION

The first part of this talk will cover how geoscientists set about exploring for, and finding, oil and gas. The subject will address, “how do oil and gas accumulations get created”, “where are they to be found”, and “how do you explore for them”?  In the process, we’ll cover issues of interest like what caused the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon tragedy, and could there be oil and gas discovered off the coast of southern Spain ?

The second part will centre around “fracking” – “why the fuss”, “could you really set fire to your tap-water”, and “does it really cause earthquakes” ? In the process, there will be a review the highlights and low lights to date in the US, and address the promise (or threat) of fracking in the UK.