Rattray could hold the last great North Sea oil reserves
Vulcanism was supposed to have scuppered the oil potential of a large area of the central North Sea, but academics say it may be worth another look
North Sea operators have been urged to look again at old assumptions, after fresh analysis of historic seismic data revealed a swathe of the basin may yet hold hydrocarbon reserves. The Rattray volcanic province in the central North Sea remains largely unexplored, despite being located in one of the world's most prolific-though now mature-regions for oil and gas production. Drillers have given Rattray a wide berth in the past, because it was believed that basalt lava flows erupting within an area of 7,000 km2 (2,700 sq miles) from volcanoes active 165mn years ago had formed magma chambers. These would have prevented the existence of large oil and gas deposits today, the geological argument r
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub
