North Sea flaring falls to lowest level on record
Flaring in the North Sea fell by 22% in 2020 as production facilities cut the overall volume to 33 billion cubic feet (bcf).
Oil and Gas Authority (OGA)
UK oil industry moves to address ‘gap’ in climate reporting
The UK oil and gas sector has announced a move to address a “gap” in investor expectations for climate-related reporting.
OGA launches full investigation into possible licence breach
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has opened an investigation into a possible licence breach.
OGA revised strategy comes into force
The Oil and Gas Authority’s revised strategy, which puts a range of net zero obligations on the sector, has come into force.
Greenpeace investigation names worst companies for flaring in UK North Sea
A Greenpeace investigation has named the five worst firms for flaring and venting in the UK North Sea, emitting nearly 20million tonnes of CO2 equivalent between 2015-2019.
Premier Oil moves Tolmount East timeline
Premier Oil has pushed back the timeline for sanctioning its Tolmount East development in the North Sea.
‘Serious intent’ to get major west of Shetland oil projects to net zero – Orion
West of Shetland operators are working with “serious intent” to get huge new oil projects “to a net zero outcome”, according to the head of a major clean energy scheme on the islands.
Long-awaited UK Government decommissioning paper lacks clarity on key issues
A long-awaited UK Government paper into oil and gas decommissioning lacks clarity on certain key areas, a trade body has said.
OGA press man wins £40,000 on ‘Beat the Chasers’
An Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) press officer “Beat the Chasers” on last night's show to win £40,000.
Spirit Energy sets April target for York life extension project
Spirit Energy has set out an April target for first gas for its York life extension project.
Oil veteran Gunther Newcombe recognised in New Year Honours list
Oil industry stalwart Gunther Newcombe has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Operators put off decommissioning North Sea wells for more than 50 years
New figures have revealed that some North Sea operators have put off decommissioning oil and gas wells for more than 50 years.
OGA submits revised strategy to UK Parliament obliging industry to support net zero
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has today submitted a document to the UK Parliament, obliging the industry to support net zero targets.
Updated: HALO acquires the Schooner field for ‘reactivation’ – but not its production platform
Hague and London Oil (HALO) has acquired 100% of the Schooner gas field in the North Sea but has not acquired rights to use the production platform to develop it.
HALO gives up 45% stake in ‘increasingly uncertain’ Spirit Energy Pegasus project
HALO (Hague and London Oil) has given up its 45% stake in the Pegasus area, describing the Spirit Energy project as “increasingly uncertain”.
Anasuria Hibiscus targets March sanction for Marigold project
Anasuria Hibiscus is planning to sanction its Marigold development in the North Sea around March next year.
OGA launches study of potential energy hub site
An in-depth feasibility study to identify the value of creating an energy hub on the Norfolk coast has been launched.
£100m decommissioning loan fund should get ‘serious consideration’ in energy white paper
The UK Government’s upcoming energy white paper should give “serious consideration” to a proposed £100m decommissioning loan fund, according to a petroleum economist.
EnQuest ‘very interested’ in joint-operator decommissioning but ‘someone needs to take the lead’
The North Sea boss of EnQuest has said the firm is “very interested” in a joint-operator decommissioning approach, but “someone needs to take the lead”.
OGA plans year-long trial to tackle ‘bugbear’ late payments for North Sea suppliers
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is planning a year-long trial to tackle the “bugbear” of late payments for North Sea suppliers.
Important for North Sea to get exploration drilling ‘back on track’
Ensuring that North Sea exploration drilling gets “back on track” next year will be a key part of efforts to help the industry get back on its feet.
OGA review shows ‘patchy compliance’ in management of licences
The Oil and Gas Authority has stressed the need for operators to maintain high licence management standards, after a report showed patchy compliance in some areas.
OGA launches ‘game-changing’ interactive offshore mapping application
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has launched a new “game-changing” interactive mapping application that could be a valuable tool in the search for carbon storage locations.
Greenpeace fails legal move against decision on BP North Sea oil field
Greenpeace has failed in its legal move against government approval of a BP oil field in the North Sea.
Tackling flaring: Lessons from the North Sea
The North Sea represents some of the best-in-class and most innovative work of the oil and gas industry. Here, significant progress in reducing gas flaring is already making a vital contribution towards delivering “net zero”, and Norway stands out as genuinely world-class.