Abstract This paper presents the results of a data mining exercise on core measurements and reports of the Triassic Lower Volpriehausen Sandstone Member (RBMVL) in The Netherlands. The availability of a large accurate online dataset via the Dutch Oil and Gas Portal (NLOG) enables the definition of general reservoir property trends on a regional–subregional scale. Accurately defined trends are capable of restricting the uncertainty range of key parameters in exploration studies (e.g. porosity and permeability), and thus of reducing risk. Plotting core porosity v. core permeability resulted in a curved data cloud on a log-normal plot. Although porosity–permeability relationships are often defined by straight lines, the dataset in this study shows that a curved relationship results in a better fit with permeability measurements over the entire porosity range. Two methods were applied to define a porosity–depth relationship for sandstones of the RBMVL. The results of both methods confirm, and enable quantification of, the well-known trend of decreasing porosity with depth. By assigning grain density attributes to the core measurements, the dependency of the porosity–depth relationship on sedimentary facies and diagenesis type/grade could be determined. This case study demonstrates the power of this free online dataset in understanding reservoir quality.

Abstract This paper synthesizes the geology of the Atlantic Margin off the coast of Iberia and surrounding Abyssal Plains using published thematic mapping freely downloadable from EMODNET-Geology portal at different scales. Selected information was chosen in order to highlight mineral occurrences and natural hazards overlaid on geological and morphological maps. Altogether, this information is published and interpreted here for the first time; nevertheless this exercise can be carried out by anyone interested and allows different visualizations of geological objects. Cross-correlations of geological objects and processes can easily arise. Because all of the information (each piece of data and metadata) in the EMODNET-Geology portal has bibliographic references associated, readers are able to find the original source of information. It is shown that clicking in and out of layers of information (that cannot be found all together in a single scientific paper) allows quick cross-correlation using the EMODNET Geology thematic portal. This allows a free, versatile and quick way of cross-correlating geological objects and processes in vast marine areas and their comparison with onshore geology.