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Abstract The UK Rockall Basin is one of the most underexplored areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), with only 12 exploration wells drilled since 1980. With only one discovery made in 2000 (Benbecula (154/1-1) gas discovery), the general view of the basin from an exploration viewpoint is not positive. However, over the last 15 years, our knowledge of the petroleum systems of the Atlantic Margin has substantially increased. With the recent acquisition of new seismic data by the UK Government as part of the OGA's Frontiers Basin Research Programme, it is a pertinent time to re-examine the prospectivity of the UK Rockall Basin. This paper presents a history of exploration within the UK Rockall Basin, from the first well drilled in the basin in 1980, to the last well, drilled in 2006. We then present new insights into the lack of success during exploration within the basin, in particular by focusing on the extensive Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks within Rockall, to illustrate the wide range of potential interactions with the petroleum system. We also present evidence that points to the potential of a viable intra-basaltic (Rosebank) type play along the eastern flank of the Rockall Basin.

Abstract This introduction briefly outlines the potential impact of igneous processes on sedimentary basins and their energy resources. The associated volume includes contributions across a range of scales; from margin-wide rifting to impacts on reservoir quality. The impact of igneous systems on elements such as tectonics, heat flow, hydrocarbon (and other) fluid charge, structuration and reservoirs are reviewed with a direct impact on hydrocarbon exploration and production, geothermal and carbon capture storage projects. A strong understanding of these commonly overlooked, igneous processes is likely to enable successful exploration for additional energy resources such as frontier hydrocarbons, geothermal heat, hydrogen as well as helium.

Abstract The mineralogy of a leach cap over a subeconomic Mo-Cu porphyry deposit in the Grizzly Peak caldera in the central Colorado Rocky Mountains provides evidence of mineralization and indications of natural acid drainage potential. Airborne hyperspectral imaging (HSI) remote sensing is used to construct a spatially complete map of the leach-cap iron and clay minerals within the mineralized, acid-generating alteration zone. The mixtures of jarosite, goethite, and hematite provide direct indications of mineralization and acid source locations. The clay minerals illite (sericite), kaolinite, dickite, and pyrophyllite further characterize the alteration and appear to correlate with acid seeps. The illite chemistry is analyzed by mapping chemical substitutions of iron for aluminum and is highly correlated with acid sources. When integrated with mapped and interpreted structures, the controls on the acid drainage are revealed.