The objectives of the database are

• to deliver a black shale compilation (distribution, characteristics) to enable exploration and production of shale gas in the European region
• to assess important characteristics for shale gas exploration (e.g. thickness, TOC contents, type of OM, maturity, mineralogy, etc.) in a web-serviced GIS database
• to include process analysis in time and space

Expected outcomes & Deliverables

• Web-based infrastructure for data repository
• Shale gas characterisation and basin evolution compilation database
• State of the art database of gas shale natural laboratories in Europe
• European shale gas depositional models, linked to relevance to shale gas prospective potential
• European basin analysis and tectonic evolution linked to shale gas prospective potential
• First entry compilations will include Germany, The Netherlands, Scandinavia
• Potential gas shales are numerous, focus will be on 5 intervals: Alum Shale (Cambrian), Devonian shales, Namurian shales (Carboniferous), Posidonia Shale (Lower Jurassic), Wealden (Lower Cretaceous)