Research Archive

“Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead
little by little to the truth.”

Jules Verne, Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

We retain strong links with academia and are involved in cutting edge research, so we are ideally positioned to bridge the gap between scientific rigour and commercial development. Maintaining close ties with our origins in the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University, and many other universities globally, we are able to deliver innovative and world leading solutions to geoscience problems. 

Our recent publications include collaboration with these research institutions


Durham University UK| Aberdeen University UK | Aix-Marseille University France | Akron University USA | Athens University Greece | Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation | Bergen University Norway | Birkbeck University UK | Bristol University UK | Camerino University Italy | Canterbury University UK | Cardiff University UK | Chieti University  Italy | CNRS France | Cologne University Germany | CSIC Spain | CSIRO Australia | Edinburgh UK | ETH Zurich Switzerland | Geological Survey ISPRA Italy | Geological Survey Trentino Italy | GEOMAR Germany | GEUS Denmark | GFZ Potsdam Germany | Glasgow University UK | INGV Italy | Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (CNR IAMC) Italy | Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (CNR IGG) Italy | Insubria University Italy | Italian Civil Protection Department (DPCN) Italy | Keele University UK | Khalifa University UAE | Leeds University UK | Leicester University UK | Leuven University Belgium | Mainz University Germany | Manchester University UK | Milan University Italy | Montpellier University France | Münster University Germany | New Mexico University USA | Newcastle University UK | Northumbria University UK | Oslo University Norway | Oxford University UK | Padova University Italy | Patras University Greece | Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi | Plymouth University UK | Rennes University France | Rome University Italy | Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre UK | Sheffield University UK | University College London UK | Uppsala University Sweden | Utrecht University Nederlands | Wyoming University USA 

Filter our list of Research Articles
Geoscience Content
Research Type
Type Author Year Title (link) Reference
Scientific Article (peer reviewed) Hardman, K.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Dempsey, E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.		 2020 Nature and significance of rift-related, near-surface fissure-fill networks in fractured carbonates below regional unconformities Journal of the Geological Society, 177, 1168-1185.
Scientific Article (peer reviewed) McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Pless, J.
Franklin, B.S.G.
and others		 2020 Basement reservoir plumbing: fracture aperture, length and topology analysis of the Lewisian Complex, NW Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 177, 1281-1293.
Conference Daniels, S.E.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Long, J.J.
and others		 2020 Characterising Fractured Basement Reservoirs 4th EAGE Workshop on Naturally Fractured Reservoirs, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, February 2020.
Scientific Article (peer reviewed) Holdsworth, R.E.
Trice, R.
Hardman, K.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
and others		 2020 The nature and age of basement host rocks and fissure fills in the Lancaster field fractured reservoir, West of Shetland Journal of the Geological Society, London, 177, 1057-1073.
Conference Holdsworth, R.E.
Trice, R.
Hardman, K.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
and others		 2020 The Lancaster Field: the anatomy and structural evolution of a fractured basement reservoir Tectonic Studies Group Conference, Hull, January 2020.
Scientific Article (peer reviewed) Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Dempsey, E.
Roberts, N.M.W.
and others		 2019 Natural fracture propping and earthquake-induced oil migration in fractured basement reservoirs Geology, 47, 700-704.
Conference Daniels, S.E.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Long, J.J.
Utley, T.A.G.
and others		 2018 Fractured reservoirs: conduits, corridors and baffles [Interactive Virtual Outcrop & Mapping Workshop] PETEX, London, November 2018.
Conference Utley, T.A.G.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Dempsey, E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
and others		 2018 The Use of Virtual Outcrop Models, Digital Geology and Legacy Data to Reappraise Devonian Basin Evolution in NE Scotland and Shetland: Analogues for the Offshore Clair Basin and Clair Oil Field, West of Shetland PETEX, London, November 2018.
Conference Daniels, S.E.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Narayan, N.
Jones, R.R.
and others		 2018 Characterising and understanding fractures, karstification, and surface fissures related to active rifting: processes and implications for geothermal reservoir development AAPG Geothermal Cross-Over Technologies Workshop, Utrecht, 17th & 18th April 2018
Conference Utley, T.A.G.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Dempsey, E.
and others		 2018 The use of Virtual Outcrop Models, digital geology and legacy data to reappraise Devonian basin evolution in NE Scotland and Shetland. A Data Explosion, the impact of Big Data in Geoscience (Geological Society Janet Watson Meeting, Feb-March 2018)
Conference Jones, R.R.
Kokkalas, S.
Long, J.J.
Daniels, S.E.
and others		 2018 Calibration of Fracture Models Using Multi-Scale Outcrop Analogues – the Importance of Mechanical Stratigraphy Third EAGE Workshop on Naturally Fractured Reservoirs, Muscat, Oman, February 2018
Conference Sleath, P.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Utley, T.A.G.
Dempsey, E.
and others		 2018 Remote image analysis of structures in the Precambrian basement exposed in small remote islands N of Scotland and possible implications for Lewisian terrane models Tectonic Studies Group Conference, Plymouth, January 2018
Conference Hardman, K.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Dempsey, E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
and others		 2018 Fault Void Fills: Internal architectures of near-surface faults and insights into basement cover relationships during rifting Tectonic Studies Group Conference, Plymouth, January 2018
Conference Jones, S.J.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Stricker, S.
Lee, J.
and others		 2017 Hydrocarbon potential of the Variscan basement, SW Approaches, Celtic Sea 56th BSRG AGM Newcastle upon Tyne, 16-19 December 2017
Conference Holdsworth, R.E.
Dempsey, E.
Roberts, N.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.		 2017 Cracked and Full of Sand: Insights Into How Fractures Enable Ingress of Oil Into Crystalline Basement Reservoirs AAPG ICE, London, October 2017
Conference Utley, T.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Dempsey, E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
and others		 2017 The Onshore Structural Geology of Foula, Shetland and Implications for the Devonian-Carboniferous Development of the Offshore Clair Basin AAPG ICE, London, October 2017
Conference Utley, T.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Dempsey, E.
McCaffrey K.J.W.
and others		 2017 The structural evolution of the Devonian rocks and associated basement in Foula and Shetland: An analogue for the Clair Basin TransIapetus Workshop - University of Hull
Conference Utley. T.A.G.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Dempsey, E.D.
and others		 2017 The structural geology of Foula, Shetland: an onshore analogue for the top of the Clair Ridge, west of Shetland. Tectonic Studies Group Conference, Liverpool, January 2017
Conference Dichiarante, A.M.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Dempsey, E.D.
and others		 2016 A reassessment of the brittle deformation history, age and attribute analysis from the Orcadian Basin, Scotland: implications for offshore Devonian fractured reservoirs PETEX, London, November 2016
Conference Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Dempsey, E.D.

and others		 2016 Cracked and full of sand: microstructural insights into how oil gets into the fractured Precambrian basement of the Rona Ridge, West of Shetland PETEX, London, November 2016.
Conference Utley, T.A.G.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Jones, R.R.
and others		 2016 A reservoir-scale structural reappraisal of onshore Devonian analogues of the Clair Group in the Fair Isle-Shetland region PETEX, London, November 2016.
Conference McCaffrey, K.
Holdsworth, R.
Oxlade, D.
Robertson, A.		 2016 Natural seismogenic pumping processes in near surface fractured basement gneisses Tectonic Studies Group Conference, London, January 2016.
Conference Jones, R.R.
Long, J.J.		 2015 Tectonic Controls on Development of the Zagros: Implications for Hydrocarbon Systems EAGE Third EAGE Workshop on Iraq, Dubai UAE, November 2015.
Conference Kokkalas, S.
Jones, R.R.
Long, J.
Woods, C.
and others		 2015 Structural evolution of the Jebel Hafeet Anticline (Al Ain, UAE): A multi-scale approach to model fracture patterns and kinematic fold evolution GSA Annual Meeting, Baltimore USA, November 2015.
Conference Jones, R.R. 2015 Structural Style in the Zagros: Implications for Hydrocarbon Systems Finding Petroleum: Opportunities and Risks in the Middle East & the Levant
Scientific Article (peer reviewed) Pless, J.C.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Jones, R.R.
Holdsworth, R.E.H.
and others		 2015 3D characterization of fracture systems using Terrestrial Laser Scanning: an example from the Lewisian basement of NW Scotland In: Richards, F.L. et al. (eds) Industrial Structural Geology: Principles, Techniques and Integration. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 421, 125-141 (2015).
Conference Jones, R.R.
Pearce, M.A.
Keith, R.
Alsop, G.I.		 2013 3D Fold Geometries in Northern Kurdistan: Implications for Exploration Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran Conference, Geological Society, London, January 2013.
Conference Pless, J.
Franklin, B.
McCaffrey, K.
Holdsworth, R.
and others		 2012 Fracture Characterisation in Crystalline Basement: Building an Analogue for the Clair Basement Based on the Lewisian Gneiss Complex of NW Scotland Geological Society, London, "Industrial Structural Geology", November 2012.
Conference Franklin, B.S.G.
Martin, J.C.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
and others		 2012 Characterising fracture systems within the Lewisian Gneiss Complex, northwest Scotland: An onshore analogue for the Clair Field. Tectonic Studies Group conference, Edinburgh, January 2012.
Conference Franklin, B.
Martin, J.C.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.
and others		 2011 Characterising fracture systems within fractured crystalline reservoirs: the Lewisian Gneiss Complex, Scotland as an onshore analogue for the Clair Field basement AGU Fall Meting, San Francisco, December 2011
Conference Franklin, B.S.G.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Walker, R.J.
and others		 2011 Characterising Fracture Systems on the Isle of Lewis: An Onshore Analogue for the Clair Field Tectonic Studies Group conference, Durham, January 2011.
Conference Pless, J.C.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Conway, A.
and others		 2010 Characterising Fault Networks in Three Dimensions in the Lewisian Gneiss Complex, NW Scotland: Implications for Petroleum Potential in the Clair Field Basement, Faroe-Shetland Basin PETEX Petroleum Geoscience Research Collaboration, London, November 2010
Conference Smith, S.A.F.
Jones, R.
Rempe, M.
Niemeijer, A.
and others		 2010 Quantifying the structure of an exhumed seismogenic fault zone using Differential GPS and Terrestrial Laser-Scanning GSA Annual Meeting, Denver, November 2010
Conference Franklin, B.S.G.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Krabbendam, M.
and others		 2010 Characterising fracture systems on the Isle of Lewis: An onshore analogue for the Clair Field "Stress controls on faulting, fracturing …", EM Anderson Conference, Glasgow, September 2010
Conference Guo, J.
Holdsworth, R. E.
De Paola, N.
McCaffrey, K.
and others		 2010 The spatial heterogeneity of fracture orientations in fault zones "Stress controls on faulting, fracturing …", EM Anderson Conference, Glasgow, September 2010
Conference Franklin, B.S.G.
Martin, J.C.
Holdsworth, R. E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
and others		 2010 Characterising Fracture Systems within the Lewisian Gneiss Complex, Northwest Scotland: an Onshore Analogue for the Clair Field? AAPG International Convention & Exhibition, Calgary, August 2010.
Conference Smith, S.
Jones, R.
Di Toro, G.
Mariano, S.
and others		 2010 The Structure of Seismogenic Faults in Crystalline Basement EGU General Assembly, Vienna, May 2010.
Conference Franklin, B.S.G.
Holdsworth, R. E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Krabbendam, M.
and others		 2010 Characterising fracture systems within upfaulted basement highs in the Hebridean Islands: an onshore analogue for the Clair Field Tectonic Studies Group Conference, Birmingham, January 2010
Conference Martin, J.C.
Holdsworth, R.E.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Conway, A.
and others		 2010 Characterising brittle reactivation in basement: an example from the Lewisian Gneiss Complex, NW Scotland Tectonic Studies Group Conference, Birmingham, January 2010
Conference Holdsworth, R.E.
Wilson, R.
McCaffrey, K.J.
Imber, J.
and others		 2009 Continental basement inheritance and multiscale rifted ocean margin architectures: case studies from the N Atlantic-Greenland region AGU Fall Meting, San Francisco, December 2009
Scientific Article (peer reviewed) Wilson, R.W.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Imber, J.
and others		 2006 Complex fault patterns, transtension and structural segmentation of the Lofoten Ridge, Norwegian margin: Using digital mapping to link onshore and offshore geology Tectonics. TC4018 doi:10.1029/2005TC001895 (2006).
Conference Wilson, R.W.
McCaffrey, K.J.W.
Holdsworth, R.E.
Imber, J.
and others		 2006 Structural segmentation and oblique extension on passive margins – the effects of pre-existing basement structures on reservoir potential Structurally Complex Reservoirs, Geological Society, London, February-March 2006.