The fossil fuel availability data layer shows where fossil fuel deposits were identified and indicates roughly the potential fossil fuel extraction rate.
The fossil fuel availability is a static layer that is useful to plan areas for oil and gas extraction. This layer does not contribute for pressure on the ecosystem.
Return to Natural Resources.
As early as 1859, oil was discovered in onshore areas around the North Sea and natural gas as early as 1910. The exploitation of the North Sea oil reserves began just before the 1973 oil crisis, and the climb of international oil prices made the large investments needed for extraction much more attractive. Although the production costs are relatively high, the quality of the oil, the political stability of the region, and the proximity of important markets in western Europe has made the North Sea an important oil producing region.
Rijkswaterstaat data drawn by hand to incorporate in a previous version of the MSP Challenge.
Not available.
Not available (before 2016).
Reprojected the data layer to Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area (EPSG:3035).
Not applicable.
This layer is not available in the Baltic Sea Edition.
This layer is not available in the Clyde Marine Region Edition.
This layer is not available in the Adriatic Sea Edition.
This layer is not present in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Co-funded by the European Union.