Exploration and appraisal drilling activity shows no sign of slackening off in the UK sector, according to Hannon Westwood.
Offshore staff
GLASGOW, UK --Exploration and appraisal drilling activity shows no sign of slackening off in the UK sector, according to Hannon Westwood.
The analysts say 16 mobile drilling units currently are drilling four exploration and 12 appraisal wells for 13 operators on the UK shelf. Much of that activity concerns conventional licenses from the 4th through the 21st UK licensing rounds, two exceptions being Maersk's well on Ockley and Sterling's on Breagh, both appraisals of former 'Promote' licences.
Hannon Westwood add that over 60% of new activity has been directed at the central North Sea. Elsewhere, BP and Chevron have been appraising discoveries West of Shetland (Alligin Deep and Lochnagar/Rosebank). The analysts also expect BP to shortly drill the William prospect in this region.
