'Strong Response' to UK Frontier Round
UK offshore regulator OGA said the 29th frontier licensing round has attracted 29 applications covering 113 blocks in under-explored areas.
Launched in July, it is the first UK licensing round in two decades to focus on frontier areas. Applications were received from 24 companies ranging from multinationals to new country entrants. Some propose firm well commitments.
Frontier areas offered include the Rockall Trough (Atlantic margin) plus the East Shetland Platform and Mid-North Sea High areas that were the focus of the 2015 UK government-funded seismic acquisition programme. The OGA later provided an openly available, geophysical dataset for companies.
Blocks offered in the 29th round are in pink above: they include the Rockall Trough (left), East Shetland Platform (top right) and Mid-North Sea High (middle right) (Map credit: UK Oil and Gas Authority)
“Despite the difficult climate, the industry has responded strongly to our offer, using analysis and insights to identify new prospects and submit high quality applications on blocks that did not attract interest in recent licensing rounds," said the Aberdeen-based OGA's chief executive Andy Samuel: "This confirms the high remaining potential in the UKCS’ frontier areas."
The upcoming 30th Offshore Licensing Round will cover mature areas of the UK offshore and include some blocks not made available since the 3rd Licensing Round, added the OGA.
Mark Smedley