WHO

NERC - British Geological Survey (BGS)

Founded in 1835, the British Geological Survey was the world's first national geological survey. It is a world leader in many areas of geoscience and is the UK's national centre for earth science information. The BGS acquires and maintains up-to-date knowledge of the UK and its continental shelf by means of systematic geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrogeological and geotechnical surveys underpinned by high quality research. It provides comprehensive, objective and impartial geoscientific information, advice and services to customers in the industrial, engineering, government and academic communities.

The British Geological Survey is one of the Centres and Surveys that make up the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The BGS staff of over 750 are organised into four Directorates which have BGS-wide responsibilities and functions. The Directorates are in turn made up of Programmes, the main operational units of the BGS, within which project teams operate. BGS staff are located at offices in Keyworth (Headquarters), Edinburgh, Belfast (Geological Survey of Northern Ireland), Exeter, Wallingford, and London (London Information Office).

Continental Shelf and Margins Programme
The Continental Shelf and Margins Programme (CSMP) specialises in the acquisition and interpretation of sea-bed and sub-sea-bed geological and geophysical data. This includes maintaining a sea-going capability in geophysical surveying, sampling, coring and drilling as well as geological mapping and assessment of hydrocarbon prospectivity of sedimentary basins. Staff working in the Programme have over 30 years experience in the geological and geophysical aspects of hydrocarbon exploration, marine geology and geophysics, offshore surveys, inorganic geochemistry, environmental appraisals and marine sediment geotechnics both in the UK and overseas. Much of the current thrust is towards studies of the Continental Margin, petroleum prospectivity and environmental projects. The Programme has been responsible for publishing stratigraphic nomenclature in offshore areas, in the Quaternary sediments as well as the hydrocarbon reservoir successions. A programme of marine geochemical investigation has been carried out , while on-going projects to develop equipment helps to keep BGS at the forefront of offshore technology.

Information Management Programme
The BGS Information Management Programme (IFP) has a wealth of experience in storing data and setting up database management systems. The Programme is responsible for the management and continued development of the BGS Offshore and Petroleum database. This important national database was initiated in the late 1960's and now includes large volumes of offshore and petroleum exploration related data. The database consists of the Data Archive, the Core Archive, and Digital Data. The main sources of these data are the BGS Offshore Mapping Programme; projects where data are managed and/or interpreted on behalf of clients; industry data from pipeline and site investigation studies; the UK Hydrographic Office and hydrocarbon exploration.

Within the EMIDOI project BGS will use its extensive network of contacts in both the public and private sector to encourage participation by research institutes, universities, environmental agencies and the hydrocarbon industry. This approach will give access to a wide variety of relevant information. BGS will also provide access to metadata of all it's relevant geological, geochemical, geotechnical, physiographic and geohazard data. This will consist of the large datasets and documents managed by BGS and in addition all relevant information from external organisations.

RELATED WEBSITES:
www.bgs.ac.uk
www.eu-seased.net

KEY PERSON:
Alan Stevenson