Elsevier and SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) have announced the integration of more than 18,000 geological maps from SEPM into Elsevier's web-based research tool, Geofacets. The integration grants geoscientists access to scientific information that can provide key insight into the potential of regions for oil and gas exploration, allowing geoscientists to make predictions and guide exploration with greater confidence. As a result of adding maps from SEPM, Geofacets now houses over 225,000 maps providing essential information to geoscientists. 

The SEPM maps have been added from a number of sources; the Journal of Sedimentary Research, the paleontological journal PALAIOS, SEPM Special Publications and SEPM's Core Workshop Notes. The maps and information within these publications cover subject areas such as petrography, diagenesis and sequence stratigraphy, all of which provide vital insights to geoscientists working in exploration. The addition of SEPM into Geofacets' database follows last year's integration of content from The Geological Society of London's world renowned Lyell Collection; and precedes another content collaboration in the making with the Society of Economic Geologists.

"Technology continues to revolutionize how geoscientists access and best use the information provided by bodies such as SEPM to solve the complex puzzles presented in oil and gas exploration," said Dr. Howard Harper, Executive Director, SEPM. "Our collaboration with Elsevier and Geofacets has made our publications even more accessible and applicable for geoscientists in the oil and gas industry and beyond. By providing crucial information on sedimentary rocks and strata in a clear and comprehensive manner, this collaboration provides the best possible outcome for everyone. Our own publications have greater exposure; Geofacets has a wider range of information to draw on; and geoscientists themselves can access and share, on-demand, even more of the information they need from a single source."

"SEPM houses some of the most respected journals and resources for geological research, each containing vital data for geoscientists, and Geofacets' users have been eagerly awaiting this integration", said Friso Veenstra, Director of Market Development at Elsevier. "Geofacets users need to create a highly accurate picture of the risks and opportunities associated with a particular basin or region and the more information that they have available on-demand and tailored to their unique needs, the more confident they will feel about their recommendations. This integration not only offers highly-valuable maps and content on sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology and related specialties, but it takes the total maps available to over 225,000, making Geofacets' global coverage even more comprehensive."