Merlin

Merlin is a flagship project of Fugro Robertson, based on the application of innovative and genuinely state of the art earth systems modelling to the prediction of source rock facies. The project takes a time slice approach, focussing on five key periods in earth history responsible for ~85% of known source rocks. The methodology is built on detailed, global, palaeogeographic mapping, state of the art palaeoclimate modelling (fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation models; A/OGCMs) and palaeotide/wave models to accurately predict source rock environments in the fossil record.

Deliverables include a global database of source rock analytical results, high resolution global plate reconstructions, detailed global palaeogeographic coverages and palaeotopographic, palaeobathymetric and drainage basin derivatives. In addition, the full results of the palaeoclimate models are provided, together with a working source facies prediction methodology based on novel application of GIS based spatial analysis tools. The product is delivered as a digital application (the MDA) and, importantly, provides participants with entry into the rapidly evolving subject of predictive earth systems modelling.