Oil and Gas Authority offers 768 North Sea blocks

The UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has launched the 32nd Offshore Licensing Round with 768 blocks or part-blocks on offer across the main producing areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

Acreage is on offer in the Central North Sea, Northern North Sea, Southern North Sea and the West of Shetlands.

“Government forecasts show that oil and gas will remain an important part of our energy mix for the foreseeable future, therefore maximising economic recovery from the UKCS is vital to meet our energy demands and reduce reliance on imports,” said the OGA.

The massive data release has involved collaboration with 11 companies, including operators and third-party specialists.

“This latest release of carefully targeted, value-adding data demonstrates the OGA’s continued commitment to supporting industry in its efforts to revitalise exploration,” said Jo Bagguley, Principal Regional Geologist at the OGA.

“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.”