Statoil awarded new UK exploration licences

March 23, 2017

Statoil was awarded six UK licenses, five as operator and one as partner, in the 29th Offshore Licensing Round, announced by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) today.

Map 29th Offshore Licensing Round

"We are very pleased with these awards which strengthen our UK continental shelf portfolio significantly,” says Jez Averty, senior vice president for exploration in Norway and the UK in Statoil.

“Statoil has secured both drill ready prospects and frontier acreage, and the diversity of the awards is testament to Statoil's belief in both the potential of the UK and that it remains an attractive place to explore," Averty says. 

The five operated licenses are located in the northern North Sea. Statoil and partner BP have committed to three firm exploration wells in this area. 

The sixth license awarded to Statoil, with Esso Exploration as operator, is located west of Scotland.

Portrait - Jez Averty
Jez Averty, senior vice president for exploration in Norway and the UK in Statoil
Map - 29th Offshore Licensing Round PDF 1 MB

"These awards are a result of a strategic decision by Statoil to explore in prolific but mature basins, combined with an emphasis on comprehensive regional work and investments in the most modern seismic datasets. In addition, we continue to diversify the UK portfolio by exploring in the true frontier areas such as the Rockall Basin." says Averty

Statoil has one of the most active exploration campaigns in the UK in 2017, with three exploration wells planned to be drilled over the summer. The three new well commitments will be integrated in future drilling plans. 

Statoil is also developing the Mariner field on the UK Continental shelf, due to come on stream in 2018. 

Block(s)

LicencE Administrator

Partners

8/27, 8/28b, 15/2, 15/3, 15/7 & 15/8

Statoil (UK)

BP Exploration

9/17b (Part) & 9/22 (Part)

Statoil (UK)

BP Exploration

9/26 (Part)

Statoil (UK)

BP Exploration

15/9 (Part), 15/10, 15/14, 15/15, 16/6b & 16/11a

Statoil (UK)

BP Exploration

16/1c & 16/2a

Statoil (UK)

BP Exploration

'132/3b, 132/4, 132/5 (Part), 132/9, 132/10, 132/13b, 132/14, 132/15, 132/18, 132/19, 132/20 (Part), 133/11 (Part), 142/28 (Part) & 142/29 (Part)

Esso Exploration

Statoil UK