Exploring the deep subsurface of the Netherlands – Commemorative volume on the centenary of KNGMG

Abstract

Former NAM director Stheeman published a paper on the petroleum geology of the Netherlands in 1962. Written as part of a special
publication to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Geological and Mining Society of the Netherlands (KNGMG), he states:
“It may be said that now, in 1962, we believe that, on shore, we have almost concluded both the exploratory and the development
stage”. Stheeman did not realise that there were still roughly a 1000 onshore exploration and production wells to be drilled.
Adding more than 500 offshore wells, a wealth of information on the deep subsurface has accumulated over the past 50 years.
The idea for this special issue was born out of the understanding that finalisation of the most recent mapping project of the
deep subsurface by TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands – nearly coincided with the centenary of KNGMG in 2012. These two
events were considered an excellent opportunity to publish a series of research papers dedicated to the deep subsurface of the
Netherlands to illustrate the latest results and developments.
Three years lay between the idea and materialisation of this special issue. We are thankful to the many people who have
contributed to its success. In our opinion the papers well reflect the diversity of aspects related to the geology of the deep subsurface.
It also shows that the enormous amount of data collected over the previous decades permit new lines of research, such as
geothermal energy, basin modelling and the interpretation of high resolution 3D seismic data.
Is it too early to conclude that the exploration and development phase has been concluded in 2012? We hope that this special
issue at least guarantees a continued interest in the deep subsurface of the Netherlands.