Results from the UK’s 25th offshore licensing round emerged yesterday, with announcements by a number of the successful companies.
A total of 171 new licences covering 257 North Sea blocks have been awarded to 100 companies – 124 of the licences on traditional licence terms – compared with 79 in the 24th offshore round. Another six frontier licences have been awarded, the same as the 24th round, and 41 promote licences have been offered, down from 64 last time.
Among the companies giving details of their awards was Aberdeen-based Faroe Petroleum, which has gained two new exploration licences, one west of Shetland and one in the southern gas basin.
Nautical Petroleum said it had been awarded six licences, consolidating its strong position east of Shetland, while Canadian operator Oilexco said it had gained eight new licences, all in the outer Moray Firth and central North Sea.
Lundin Petroleum of Sweden announced that it was offered six exploration licences covering 14 blocks or part-blocks, while Danish state-controlled DONG Energy said it had won 21 exploration licences west of Shetland and in the northern North Sea.
Norway’s Rocksource has gained four exploration licences in the northern North Sea while fellow Norwegian companies Revus Energy and Noreco have each been awarded six licences.
UK explorer Valiant Petroleum gained eight licences covering nine whole and part-blocks in the northern and central North Sea areas and Stratic Energy said it had won three licences in the southern and central North Sea areas.
Genesis Petroleum said it had been awarded interests in two licences covering 11 blocks or part-blocks in the northern North Sea.
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