The purpose of this short contribution is to provide an overview of our current state of knowledge of Africa's petroleum systems as an introduction to the detailed volume accounts that follow. Toward that end we introduce a set of maps on a supplementary CD compiled by Purdy as part of a confidential report provided to industry subscribers some ten years ago. The maps include subsurface as well as surface structural information but, because of their vintage, have not taken account of more recent information. Nonetheless, the regional geological framework apparent on the maps has not changed and, in that sense, the maps are as relevant today as when they were first compiled. Moreover the maps serve as a useful building block on which more recently acquired exploration data can be readily added by others using facilitating computer programs. <...>

Carthaginian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Ottoman, Italian, and Allied military control after the Second World War. There was little organised scientific activity before the annexation of Libya by Italy in 1911, although a number of expeditions, some with scientific interests, passed through Libya in the 19th century. The main objective of these expeditions, mostly organised by the London-based African Association, was to explore the region southwards from Murzuq to Timbuktu, determine the course of the Niger River and assess the commercial potential of the area. The earliest of these expeditions was undertaken by Friedrich Hornemann who travelled with a camel caravan from Egypt into Libya passing through the oases of Siwa and Awjilah, and then across the Haruj al Aswad to Murzuq, and subsequently to Tripoli.

FRASER, A. J. & MATTHEWS, S. J. Introduction

SLADEN, C. Energy trends in SE Asia
HALL, R. Cenozoic plate tectonic reconstructions of SE Asia
TODD, S. P., DUNN, M. E. & BARWISE, A. J. G. Characterizing petroleum charge systems in the Tertiary of SE Asia 
SLADEN, C. Exploring the lake basins of east and southeast Asia 
LEO, C. T. A. M. Exploration in the gulf of Thailand in deltaic reservoirs, related to the Bongkot Field 
MATTHEWS, S. J., FRASER, A. J., LOWE, S, TODD, S. P. & PEEL, F. J. Structure, stratigraphy and petroleum geology of the SE Nam Con Son Basin, offshore Vietnam 

The intention of this book is to provide a detailed synthesis of the available information published on the petroleum geology of the Persian Gulf. Despite the intensive petroleum exploration which has taken place in the Persian Gulf over the past seventy years, relatively little has been published in the petroleum geology literature. One of the main reasons for this is that many of the studies are undertaken either for or by oil companies, who, for competitive reasons, impose restrictions on publication to maintain confidentiality. This information will aid in estimating oil and gas reserves as well as improving field development technology. Much work remains to be done regarding the geology of the Persian Gull. The need for a book on the geology of the Persian Gulf is therefore clear, and it is hoped that it will continue to provide a useful reference manual and resource of ideas for students as well as professionals. <...>