The 32nd offshore licensing round is offering 768 blocks or part-blocks across the main producing areas of the UK Continental Shelf. Credit: Michael Elleray.

The UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is inviting applications for exploration in large areas of the North Sea and west of Shetland.

The 32nd offshore licensing round is offering 768 blocks or part-blocks across the main producing areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). Blocks on offer are situated in the central North Sea, northern North Sea, southern North Sea and the west of Shetlands.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The authority has also provided access to a massive data bank from past drilling of over 2,700 wells, seismic surveys of the seabed and pipelines. Companies also have the opportunity to propose further blocks in adjacent areas, for potential inclusion where applicants plan to carry out a substantial firm work programme.

The closing date for applications is 12 November, with decisions anticipated to be taken in the second quarter of 2020.

Released data includes deliverables from the first year of the UKCS Petroleum Systems Project, a UKCS satellite seeps database, digital well logs for more than 2,000 wells, a UKCS structural and tectonic elements database, and the UK library of apatite fission track reports. It also includes UKCS gravity inversion products, rock physics calibration study, catalogue of opportunities in unlicensed acreage from relinquishment reports and the SNS Megasurvey.

The UK Government is providing £5m of funding for the exploration data packs to help stimulate exploration and new ventures activities.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

OGA principal regional geologist Jo Bagguley said: “This latest release of carefully targeted, value-adding data demonstrates the OGA’s continued commitment to supporting industry in its efforts to revitalise exploration.

“We’re particularly excited about the geochemical database and the release of the SNS Megasurvey and look forward to seeing these, and the other released data packs, being used to good effect to support both 32nd Licensing Round applications and ongoing exploration activity in the basin.”

In June 2019, the OGA offered for award 37 licence areas over 141 blocks or part-blocks to 30 companies in the 31st offshore licensing round.