BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Founded in 1835, the BGS was the world’s first national geological survey. It is a world leader in many areas of geoscience and is the UK’s national centre for earth science information. The BGS acquires and maintains up-to-date knowledge of the UK and its continental shelf by means of systematic geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrogeological and geotechnical surveys underpinned by high quality research. It provides comprehensive, objective and impartial geoscientific information, advice and services to customers in the industrial, engineering, government and academic communities. The British Geological Survey is one of the Centres and Surveys that make up the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The BGS is led by the Director, Dr David Falvey, and a team of Assistant Directors. The NERC has established a Board of non-executive Directors to support the management team and guide the strategic direction of the Survey taking into account the recommendations of the Director, BGS. The BGS staff of over 750 are organised into three Programmes Divisions based broadly on market sector and two Corporate Divisions which have BGS-wide responsibilities and functions. Each of these is headed by an Assistant Director. The divisions are in turn made up of groups, the main operational units of the BGS, within which project teams operate, based on scientific discipline, geographical focus or market sector. BGS staff are located at offices in Keyworth (Headquarters), Edinburgh, Belfast (Geological Survey of Northern Ireland), Exeter, Wallingford, and London (London Information Office). For further information on BGS Products and Services, please visit the BGS web site at http://www.bgs.ac.uk Petroleum and Marine Geology Group The BGS contribution to the EUMARSIN project is managed by the Petroleum and Marine Geology Group (PMGG). The group of 40 staff is managed by Dr Nigel Fannin and is based in the BGS Edinburgh office . The PMGG specialises in the acquisition and interpretation of sea-bed and sub-sea-bed geological and geophysical data. This includes mainataing a sea-going capability in geophysical surveying, sampling, coring and drilling as well as geological mapping and assessment of hydrocarbon prospectivity of sedimentary basins. The Group has over 30 years experience in the geological and geophysical aspects of hydrocarbon exploration, marine geology and geophysics, offshore surveys, inorganic geochemistry and marine sediment geotechnics both in the UK and overseas. Members of the group have also been involved in training in all aspects of petroleum and marine geology around the world. Much of the current thrust is towards studies of the Continental Margin and petroleum prospectivity. The Group has been responsible for publishing stratigraphic nomenclature in offshore areas, in the Quaternary sediments as well as the hydrocarbon reservoir successions. The Group has also carried out a programme of marine geochemical investigation, while an on-going programme of equipment development helps to keep BGS at the forefront of offshore technology. The group is also involved in the field of information technology, and can offer training in all aspect of their work. The BGS has a wealth of experience in storing data and setting up database management systems, and part of this expertise exists within the PMGG. The group is responsible for the management and continued development of the BGS Offshore and Petroleum database. This important national database was initiated in the late 1960’s and now includes large volumes of offshore and petroleum exploration related data. The PMGG database consists of the Data Archive, the Core Archive, and Digital Data. The main sources of these data are the BGS Offshore Mapping Programme; projects where data are managed and/or interpreted on behalf of clients; industry data from pipeline and site investigation studies; the UK Hydrographic Office and hydrocarbon exploration.