2.2.4 Naming geological units on the continental shelf
Geological units which occur on the continental shelf may be given proper or characterizing names which are (a) geographical names of places and areas on the shelf within the type area or distribution area for the individual units, (b) names given to petroleum-bearing fields on the shelf, (c) geographically neutral names, and (d) geographical names from part of the outermost coast that is close to the relevant area on the shelf.
When geographical names are being chosen for geological units on the continental shelf the general principle (Section 2.2.2) that the name is to be derived from the type section (well, core), type locality or type area/distribution area should as far as possible be implemented. Names should preferably be chosen from categories a and b, above. If a field has been given an official name, this is to be looked upon as a geographical name and should be available for the unit that is geologically best defined within the field, assuming that the field is suitable as a type locality or type area for the unit. A unit that is named after a petroleum field should preferably be economically important. A unit that is defined and erected within a field, and named after that field, is to retain this name in other fields in which it can be proved (e.g. Statfjord Formation, named after Statfjord Field, is used throughout the northern North Sea area).
Category (c), other names than geographical names, offers a rich choice of names for applying to lithological and other units: (c1) Norwegian names of fish, birds, other animals and plants belonging to Norwegian waters or neighbouring land areas, (c2) names from Norse mythology, and Norwegian fairy tales and legends, (c3) other literary names from Norwegian writings about the coast and sea, (c4) names from maritime, business and cultural history related to the continental shelf and coastal areas. When names from category (c) are being used it is recommended that names that are associated with each other are used within a single field or neighbouring fields.
Names of places and districts on the coast (category d) can be used for lithostratigraphical and lithodemic units on the continental shelf when the locality is situated within or close to the area in which the unit occurs. This principle should be followed (1) to avoid misunderstandings with regard to the area in which the unit occurs and the location of the type section, type locality or type area, (2) to avoid conflicts with units on land that have already been named, and (3) to avoid geographical names that might predictably be used for formal or informal names of units on land being used for units lacking direct geological association with the place or area denoted by the name (cf. ISSC 1976, p. 42). Names of counties, parts of the country, large islands, large fjords, towns and large villages, and the like, are not to be used for stratigraphical units on the continental shelf. Units on land are to be given precedence for such names (see Sections 2.2.2 and 2.4.5).
Geological form units (Section 3.7), linear structural units (Section 3.8), planar structural units (Section 3.9) and morphostratigraphical units (Section 3.10) can be given names from areas on or near the coast which are structurally or morphologically related to the area in question on the continental shelf.
For definition and erection of units on the continental shelf see Sections 2.4 and especially 2.4.12, and ISSC (1976, pp. 17, 42).