Geology of the North-West European Continental Shelf, Volume 2: The North Sea; R.M. Pegrum, G. Rees & D. Naylor
1975

This volume is a detailed geological study of the North Sea region, forming part of a broader series on the North-West European Continental Shelf. It provides a comprehensive synthesis of geological knowledge developed during the rapid expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration in the late 20th century.

The book begins with an overview of the regional geological setting, including the tectonic evolution of the North Sea basin. It explains how processes such as continental rifting, subsidence, and sedimentation shaped the basin over geological time.

Key topics include:

Stratigraphy: detailed descriptions of sedimentary sequences from the Paleozoic through the Cenozoic
Structural geology: faults, grabens, horsts, and basin architecture
Sedimentology: depositional environments including marine, deltaic, and continental systems
Geophysical interpretation: integration of seismic data with well logs and core samples

A major emphasis is placed on petroleum geology, including:

Source rocks and hydrocarbon generation
Reservoir characteristics and distribution
Trap formation and sealing mechanisms
Exploration history and field development

The volume incorporates extensive data from drilling programs and seismic surveys, reflecting the significant advances made in offshore exploration technologies.