More than 90 exploration and appraisal (A&E) wells reported to be ready for drilling in UK waters.
This emerged in a report by Norwegian consultant WEPC and Singapore research and database provider 1Derrick published yesterday.
The study of the Norwegian and UK offshore oil and gas sector for 2012 showed that last year’s E&A activity in the UK was in line with previous years with 41 wells sunk.
Investment in field development was strong with nine UK oil and gas fields starting production in 2012, and a further 19 approved for development.
The report detailed that 167 new exploration licences were added in the UK last year, bringing the total to 488, of which 91 had “firm or decided” drilling plans.
Anders Wittemann, strategy consultant with WEPC, said: “The outlook for E&A drilling activity across UK and Norway remains highly positive with a significant inventory of wells to be drilled.
“Trends to be tested include the western margins of the Central Graben, where new awards were made in the UK’s 27th licensing round, the deep gas province which spans both UK and Norway and the eastern margins of both the North and Norwegian Sea.”
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Exploration and appraisal wells in the UK North Sea
