OGA addresses North Sea ‘tight gas’ roadblock

June 23, 2017
Britain’s Oil & Gas Authority has published a new strategy on maximizing the economic recovery of ‘tight gas’ from the UK southern North Sea.

Offshore staff

LONDONBritain’s Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) has published a new strategy on maximizing the economic recovery of ‘tight gas’ from the UK southern North Sea (SNS).

OGA estimates 3.8 tcf of remaining accessible gas in the region, including infill opportunities, undeveloped discoveries and prospects.

However, tight gas reservoirs have often been disregarded due to the high associated cost and perceived risk, with license holders focusing on less complex developments with lower costs and higher recovery factors.

OGA’s Southern North Sea Tight Gas Strategy aims to stimulate greater use of technology and collaboration to address these issues.

Eric Marston, Area Manager for the Southern North Sea and East Irish Sea, said: “Maximizing recovery of tight gas represents a real opportunity to extend the life of thesouthern North Sea’s existing infrastructure, including the development of marginal fields and potentially the redevelopment of existing fields.

“In addition, we can expect an upturn in activity to benefit the supply chain by building their capability and expertise in tight gas.

“There’s a lot of energy in the southern sector right now with operators collaborating on some great projects to bring new developments to market. We’ve also been working closely with industry via the East of England Energy Group’s SNS Rejuvenation Special Interest Group, which in turn has been actively supporting the tight gas agenda.”

06/23/2017