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Effect of Zechstein Supergroup (Z1 cycle) Werrahalit pods on prospectivity in the southern North Sea

Forensic mapping of the Upper Permian Zechstein Supergroup highlights the profound effect that large, isolated, and hitherto poorly documented lensoid halite pods have on southern North Sea gas prospectivity. The pods have a significantly lower velocity than the anhydrite-dominated host in which they are encased. The effect results in major discrepancies between expected and actual depth for the detection and successful exploitation of deeper reservoir targets. Significantly, the allowance for their differential a new-found basis upon which to reassess gas volumes in producing fields, undeveloped discoveries and the validity of undrilled prospects throughout a hitherto unrecognised 20-km-wide prospective play fairway.