The Western Frontiers Association - Evaluating seabed conditions west of the UK

A joint industry group was established in 1995 by the British Geological Su rvey (BGS) to investigate seabed conditions and evaluate the shallow geolog y west of the UK. This has allowed an extension to BGS's marine mapping pro gramme focusing on the needs of the users of the seabed. This group is know n as the Western Frontiers Association (WYFA) and currently comprises 14 oi l companies. Also within the group and acting as a focus of activity is the Health and Safety Executive (Offshore Safety Division) (HSE (OSD)), The WF A group was developed following a study by BGS, for HSE (OSD), two years ea rlier which illustrated that ground conditions to the west of Britain, iden tified on BGS's regional studies, were more varied and processes and hazard s were less well understood compared with the North Sea. The group was set up to consider the shallow geology of the whole area west of the UK mainland and focused initially on the area west of Shetland incl uding, and extending beyond the licensed area. Following the 17th round of licensing the WFA of focus has extended to include the Rockall Trough and U K waters north of 61 degrees 40 'N. The group has commissioned a wide range of studies to assess hazards such as shallow gas, slope stability and meth ane hydrates. Occasionally, small area studies have been undertaken to exam ine a hazard in detail where the results can be extrapolated regionally. Da ta acquisition has been undertaken on a regional basis and these surveys co mpliment studies acquired by the commercial site survey service industry. O utputs have been in the form of reports, maps and databases supported by so ftware developments, (C) 2001 NERC. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.