Abstract A review of recent Triassic research across the Southern Permian Basin area demonstrates the role that high-resolution stratigraphic correlation has in identifying the main controls on sedimentary facies and, subsequently, the distribution of hydrocarbon reservoirs. The depositional and structural evolution of these sedimentary successions was the product of polyphase rifting controlled by antecedent structuration and halokinesis, fluctuating climate, and repeated marine flooding, leading to a wide range of reservoir types in a variety of structural configurations. Triassic hydrocarbon accumulations form an important energy resource across the basin, not only in the established Buntsandstein fairway but also in Rogenstein oolites and Muschelkalk carbonates. In addition, sand-prone sections in the Late Triassic, such as the Schilfsandstein, have the potential to be hydrocarbon reservoirs. Several Triassic intervals are now the focus for developing geothermal projects. A detailed understanding of Triassic reservoir quality and distribution is one of the main keys to efficiently unlocking the geothermal and remaining hydrocarbon potential across the basin.

ABSTRACT The Southern Permian Basin (SPB) formed a large, elongated saucer-shaped inland depression extending from the UK to Poland and from Belgium to Denmark. During the Middle to early Late Permian the SPB was filled progressively by playa sediments from its centre in northwestern Germany before it was flooded at the onset of the Zechstein. The Netherlands were situated at the southern part of the saline playa lake. The sediment fill has an onlap configuration upon the underlying Carboniferous and Lower Rotliegend strata. Although regional contour maps suggest a fairly gradual thinning of the Upper Rotliegend interval towards the basin edge, more careful examination reveals that there are prominent steps in thickness and facies. It can be concluded that these steps are defined by steps in the palaeotopography of the basin. These topographic steps are related to pre-Variscan and Variscan structural elements. During deposition of the Upper Rotliegend these large-scale topographic steps defined the location of the main fluvial fairways towards the basin centre, extensive (mud)flat areas, and the relative highs on which the dune fields developed. Next to these large topographic elements relief inversion, differential erosion, and faults caused smaller-scale topographic relief elements. This relief exerted prominent influence on the sediment dispersal patterns and sediment type both laterally and vertically. This holds especially true for the basal Rotliegend sandstones and in the pinch-out area near the playa margin.