Title : Riding the Atlantic wave: Frontier plays, big gains
Abstract:
The Atlantic Margin, stretching from the Arctic to the South Atlantic, has emerged as one of the most prospective frontier and emerging exploration zones globally. Spanning offshore basins in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa, this margin has seen transformative discoveries—ranging from Brazil’s prolific pre-salt reservoirs and Guyana-Suriname’s deepwater plays to high-impact finds offshore Namibia and the UK West of Shetland. These successes highlight the margin’s potential for high-reward, low-cost barrels, especially in deepwater settings where technological advancements and improved geological understanding have reduced exploration risks.
One of the key opportunities lies in underexplored or re-emerging basins such as those in Morocco, Uruguay, and Ireland. These areas benefit from analogous petroleum systems proven elsewhere on the margin, yet remain relatively untapped. Notably, Namibia’s Orange Basin has recently drawn considerable attention after massive light oil discoveries by Shell and TotalEnergies, validating long-held geological models and prompting renewed interest across the wider margin. Similarly, the Suriname-Guyana Basin continues to yield commercial success, driving the strategic shift of several majors toward this part of the Atlantic.
The convergence of favorable geology, attractive fiscal terms, and strategic national energy policies has enhanced the competitiveness of many Atlantic Margin countries. In addition, energy security concerns and a rebalancing of global oil and gas portfolios have triggered renewed interest in offshore frontier areas. Notably, exploration is also benefiting from improved subsurface imaging, better well placement technologies, and access to high-quality 3D seismic data that de-risk plays once considered marginal or technically challenging.
While frontier basins still pose subsurface and above-ground risks, the Atlantic Margin offers a rare combination of scale, exploration upside, and commercially attractive development options—especially for companies looking to balance energy transition goals with supply security. The shift toward “advantaged” barrels—low carbon, high-margin, short payback—further boosts the margin's relevance in corporate strategies. In sum, the Atlantic Margin remains a key hunting ground for explorers aiming to unlock the next generation of hydrocarbon resources. Its proven petroleum systems, expanding infrastructure, and the potential for transformative discoveries make it a region of enduring strategic importance in the global energy landscape.
