An integrated chemostratigraphic and palynological study undertaken on the Upper Carboniferous (Upper Pennsylvanian) successions encountered by 49 UK and Dutch sector wells located in the southern North Sea gas basin. The study establishes a new standardised sub-regional chemostratigraphic correlation scheme for the Upper Carboniferous successions. The study has also led to the development of a new integrated stratigraphic scheme for the Upper Carboniferous successions based on chemostratigraphical and palynological zonations, which are formalised via the establishment of a composite chemostratigraphic and palynological type section and the use of these zonations to define revised lithostratigraphic scheme for greater Cleaver Bank High area..