The data shows the location of seabed and sub-seabed samples collected from the UK continental shelf, held by BGS. A BGS Sample Station is a general location at which sampling with one or more equipment types, such as borehole, grab, dredge, has been used. Historically, all deployment of equipment was recorded with the same coordinates so the data shown here will often show several sets of data at the same location. Newer data will begin to show distinct locations based on an equipment type. This layer shows all the BGS Sample Station Locations, including those where the Sampling was unsuccessful. The layers below are divided into distinct equipment types, plus a separate layer for unsuccessful sampling. BGS Sample Station Locations can have a wide range of potential information available. This can vary from a basic description derived from a simple piece of paper up to a complex set of information with a number of datasets. These datasets can include particle size analysis, geotechnical parameters, detailed marine geology, geochemical analysis and others. Prices are available on further enquiry.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the location, with basic metadata, of selected DECC (Department of Energy & Climate Change) offshore hydrocarbon wells. The source data for this layer was downloaded from the DECC website at www.og.decc.gov.uk/information/maps_offshore.htm. These are DECC owned data and information and supply of the actual data is through the DECC release agents.

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows unadjusted ship gravity, magnetic and bathymetry data acquired by BGS as part of its Offshore Reconnaisance Mapping Programme. This programme commenced in 1967, and was funded mainly by the Department of Energy. Unadjusted ship gravity and bathymetry data from various commercial and academic surveys between 1965 and 1994. Confidential M.O.D Hydrographic Office integrated ship gravity and magnetics surveys of NW Europe marine areas for which BGS acts as agent. Network adjusted gravity and magnetic compilations of data from BGS and non-BGS sources.

This map represents all current live offshore agreements in English, Welsh and Northern Irish waters. The boundaries are a true reflection of what has been signed in the Agreements for Lease and Lease documents. Much of the agreements data shown in this map is available from the The Crown Estate Open Data portal.

This digitally compiled map includes geology, oil and gas fields, and geologic provinces of Europe. The oil and gas map is part of a worldwide series released on CD-ROM by the World Energy Project of the U.S. Geological Survey. For data management purposes the world is divided into eight energy regions corresponding approximately to the economic regions of the world as defined by the U.S. Department of State. Europe (Region 4) including Turkey (Region 2) includes Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Svalbard

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the path the survey ship took whilst undertaking the ship gravity, magnetic and bathymetry survey. This index is based on data from approximately 350,000 line kilometres of multi-instrument geophysical survey lines. The data itself includes seismic, sonar, magnetic, gravity, echo sounder, multibeam bathymetry and navigation data, both in digital and analogue format. The data were primarily collected by BGS and the collection also includes additional third party data.

The three digital maps provided in this product aim to assess the degree of Offshore windfarm siting suitability existing over the geographical area extent with a focal point where waters of France, Ireland and UK meet. The maps display respectively the spatial distribution of the average and lowest windfarm siting suitability scores along with the average wind speed distribution over a time period of 10 years. They are part of a process set up to assess the fit for use quality of the currently available datasets to support a preliminary selection of potential offshore sites for wind energy development. To build these maps, GIS tools were applied to several key spatial datasets from the 5 data type domains considered in the project: Air, Marine Water, Riverbed/Seabed, Biota/Biology and Human Activities, collated during the initial stages of the project. Initially, each selected dataset was formatted and clipped to the study area extent and spatially classified according to suitability scores, to define raster layers with the variables depicting levels of current anthropogenic and environmental spatial occupation of activities, seabed depth and slope, distances to shoreline, shipping intensity, mean significant wave height, and substrate type. These pre-processed layers were employed as inputs for applying a spatial multi-criteria model using a wind farming suitability classification based on a discrete 5 grades index, ranging from Very Low up to Very High suitability. In adition to suitability maps, an average wind speed spatial distribution map for a 10 years period, at 10 m height, was obtained over the study area from the raster processing of a wind speed time series of monthly means available from daily wind analysis data. The characteristics of the datasets used in this exercise underwent an appropriateness evaluation procedure based on a comparison between their measured quality and those specified for the product. The most part of the area was classified with low scores due to the high depths, unsuited seafloor and remote location in average 350 km from land, despite the low presence of human activities. All the spatial information made available in these maps and from the subsequent appropriateness analysis of the datasets, contributes to a clearer overview of the amount of public-access baseline knowledge currently existing for the North Atlantic basin area.

A series of maps describing geological factors relevant to offshore seabed activities. Produced in collaboration with The Crown Estate in 2014. The Quaternary Deposits Thickness dataset is a digital geological map across the bulk of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), for areas up to a water depth of 200m, which shows the thickness of the deposits over bedrock in three categories:<5m, 5-50m, and >50m Quaternary cover. These depth bands were picked because they represent the horizons that have impact on offshore infrastructure deployment. The map is derived from (unpublished) BGS 1:1,000,000 scale Quaternary digital geological mapping. The map was produced in 2014 in collaboration with The Crown Estate as part of a project to assess seabed development opportunities across the UKCS. This map has been released for viewing on the Offshore GeoIndex alongside a series of other offshore geological maps from the BGS.

This interactive map has been produced by the NSTA to assist companies and members of the public with information that will help them understand offshore activities in the UK’s Territorial Sea and its designated Continental Shelf (“the offshore area”). This includes those areas already under licence and those areas that are on offer in NSTA’s licensing Rounds.Licences that are awarded by NSTA may contain conditions to protect environmental interests, and the interests of other sea users. In addition, activities carried out under the licences will be subject to a range of legislation which is designed to protect the marine environment, including regulations which apply the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Directives to offshore oil and gas activities.The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is the unit within DESNZ responsible for ensuring that the economic exploitation of offshore energy resources takes full account of environmental and social objectives.

This interactive map has been produced by the NSTA to assist companies and members of the public with information that will help them understand offshore activities in the UK’s Territorial Sea and its designated Continental Shelf (“the offshore area”). This includes those areas already under licence and those areas that are on offer in NSTA’s licensing Rounds.Licences that are awarded by NSTA may contain conditions to protect environmental interests, and the interests of other sea users. In addition, activities carried out under the licences will be subject to a range of legislation which is designed to protect the marine environment, including regulations which apply the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Directives to offshore oil and gas activities.The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is the unit within DESNZ responsible for ensuring that the economic exploitation of offshore energy resources takes full account of environmental and social objectives.

This dataset has been created to define future aggregate resource areas (AGG3) as shown in the MMO East Inshore and East Offshore marine plans. The data represents key outputs from the British Geological Society (BGS) Report, The Mineral Resources of The East Inshore and East Offshore Marine Plan Areas (Bide et al, 2011). This depicts mineral resources with current or potential future economic interest in the East Inshore and East Offshore marine plan areas. The data displayed on the map was created by combining; The geological distribution of all offshore aggregate minerals and Prospective areas for coarse sand and gravel in the Humber, East Anglia region and the Outer Thames Estuary.

Data layer showing the location of Offshore Shellfish Ltds three offshore rope cultured mussel farm. These were digitised from a georectified map taken from http: www.offshoreshellfish.com . This data layer cannot be used as exact locations as no coordinates were supplied. For full details see the report MMO (2013) Future trends in Fishing and Aquaculture in the South Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan Areas. A report produced for the Marine Management Organisation, pp 2. MMO Project No: 1051.

The BGS Seabed Geology 10k: Offshore Yorkshire digital map provides detailed and accurate characterisation of the seabed geology, based on seabed and shallow-subsurface data. This dataset incorporates three complementary map components (Substrate Geology, Structural Geology, and Geomorphology) presented at 1:10 000 scale, provided as discrete layers for viewing within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The bedrock geology comprises Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, with bedrock commonly outcropping in the northern and central parts of the map area. Triassic rocks of the Bacton, Haisborough, and Lias Groups are dominant in the north, whereas Cretaceous Chalk is dominant in the central areas. Extensive folding, fracturing, and faulting are observed at rockhead, indicative of the complex structural evolution of the Southern North Sea Basin. Superficial deposits comprise several Quaternary deposits, in particular, Late Pleistocene subglacial till of the Bolders Bank Formation. Post-glacial channel-infill deposits are also common as well as Holocene through modern unconsolidated marine sediments. The seabed geomorphology records a range of relict and active processes, including bedrock ‘Bedding ridges’, Late Pleistocene ‘Ice-marginal moraines’, and active marine sedimentary current-induced bedforms (e.g. ‘Sediment Waves’). Each theme is provided as distinct layers for viewing within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The “Substrate Geology” layer shows the distribution of bedrock and unlithified superficial deposits present at the seabed (below a thin veneer of seabed sediments, ‘one-metre principle’ described below) as a series of polygons; The “Structural Geology” layer represents the structural features observed at rockhead as a polylines layer, and “Geomorphology” theme consists of points, polylines, and polygons layers to portray the main seabed morphological and geomorphological features.

SeaMaST provides evidence on the use of sea areas by seabirds and inshore waterbirds in English territorial waters, mapping their relative sensitivity to offshore wind farm and wave/tidal energy developments. Data were compiled from offshore boat and aerial observer surveys spanning the period 1979–2012. The data were analysed using distance analysis and Density Surface Modelling to produce predicted bird densities across a grid covering English territorial waters at a resolution of 3 km x 3 km. Coefficients of Variation were estimated for each grid cell density, as an indication of confidence in predictions. Offshore wind farm sensitivity scores were compiled for seabird species using English territorial waters in breeding and non-breeding seasons, according to the BDMPS (Biologically Defined Minimum Population Scales) project (http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6427568802627584). The comparative risks to each species of collision with turbines and displacement from operational turbines were reviewed and scored separately, and the scores were multiplied by the bird density estimates to produce relative sensitivity maps.

BGS offshore marine products are made available to view via this web map service. The 1:250 000 scale offshore geological maps in the UTM series (Universal Transverse Mercator projection) are available digitally as two themes: bedrock geology (DigRock250) and sea-bed sediments (DigSBS250).

The Map based index (GeoIndex) provides a map based index to datasets that BGS have collected or have obtained from a wide variety of sources. The site allows users to search for information about BGS data collections covering the UK and other areas worldwide. Access is free, the interface is easy to use, and it has been developed to enable users to check coverage of different types of data and find out some background information about the data. The index shows the extents of available dataset coverage in Great Britain and the surrounding seas, drawn against a topographical map background. The spatial data are grouped into themes holding related data together in manageable-sized units for sensible querying by any end-users. The current onshore themes are Boreholes, Geophysics, Civil Engineering, Geochemistry, Collections, Earthquakes, Landsat, Local Government, Map products and Minerals. Data is also available for the UK offshore. The map themes were created after discussion with customers and specialists in these particular sectors to ensure they encompass data (data layers) required for meaningful querying of the BGS data holdings by that sector. Data is also available for Northern Ireland using the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland GeoIndex.

Pan-European water depth suitability map, derived from EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data Network) Bathymetry data, showing the relative suitability for offshore wind pile foundations. The relative scoring system is from 0 (null) and 1 to 5 (i.e., high to low suitability, respectively), resulting in regional water depth suitability map for pile foundations. Null values represent hexagons that extended too far inland (e.g. estuaries) and thus don’t overlay the bathymetry map, however are kept in for information. A score of 5 (low suitability) is given to values >=0 and over 80 m. A score of 3 is given to 60-80 m. A score of 2 (higher suitability) is given to 10-50 m. The scoring system is a relative suitability scale, defined by BGS (2014), a commercial project undertaken with The Crown Estate. The original water depth (EMODnet Bathymetry) data has been translated into Hex maps due to the various data resolutions of the bathymetry datasets. Hex maps permit spatial screening of suitable license areas over vast areas and provides the end-user with an understanding to the level of uncertainty regarding the final maps. This pan-European digital GIS product is produced by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and forms part of a series of maps that define domain parameters related to marine geotechnical conditions, focusing on water depth and suitability for foundation installation. Water depth is a critical parameter influencing the selection and design of foundation systems for offshore infrastructure. Water Depth is a domain-type to support early-stage site assessment, engineering design constraints and risk evaluation processes in offshore development projects. The data is useful for marine spatial planners, wind farm developers, and research institutions who would like to understand the suitability of different foundation types for various water depths at a regional scale.

This layer shows hydrocarbon wells. The United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) offshore hydrocarbon well borehole materials collection contains material from approximately 9000 wells, including over 300km of drillcore and 4.5 million samples of cuttings. During 2011–12, the collection was transferred from Gilmerton to Keyworth. Transferred core has been photographed and links to the photos are provided where available. You can also use a form to search the offshore hydrocarbon wells database. Further information for UKCS wells, seismic surveys, production infrastructure and licences, including a searchable form and a map interface are publically available from the UK National Data Repository (NDR) and the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA).

Areas of search (AoS) have been created using a multi-criteria analysis generated constraint map that shows a range of suitability for offshore wind energy locations. This constraint map is the product of overlaying and weighting 20 relevant layers in a GIS. From the least constrained/most suitable areas some broad zones are drawn. These broad areas are then refined into the AoS by investigating the geographic proximity to important offshore activities and issues. The activities considered to refine the footprint of the broad areas were: fishing, shipping, marine nature protected areas and oil and gas installations. These AoS will serve as guidance to developers and planners as to the most suitable sites for further offshore wind developments in Scottish waters. These sites provide a zone where developments will enjoy minimised obstacles to consenting and licensing whilst still benefitting from adequate resource and appropriate environmental conditions. These sites are recommended by Marine Scotland as places where the consenting and licensing process will be streamlined, expedient and efficient as the likely interactions to be encountered by developers have already been considered. Marine Scotland does not oblige developers to occupy these locations but to consider them as the most appropriate sites.

This layer of the Map based index (GeoIndex) shows the location of available UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) series 1:250000 geological maps. These maps display Bedrock, Quaternary (Superficial deposits) geology of the offshore areas and Seabed Sediments of the UK landmass and offshore regions. The different versions are normally published as separate maps for land areas, but these may be combined on a single map for offshore areas. Maps are normally available in flat and folded format. The UTM Series (Universal Transverse Mercator projection) maps cover an area of 1deg. latitude by 2deg. longitude.