Kerr-McGee acquires interests in five North Sea blocks
Kerr-McGee North Sea (UK) Ltd., a wholly owned affiliate of Kerr-McGee Corp. has acquired interests in four exploration licenses covering five blocks in the central North Sea from BP.
Under the terms of the transaction, Kerr-McGee acquired interests in and operates the following blocks:
• Block 22/25a (excluding the Mirren and Merganser fields) – Kerr-McGee approximately 66% interest
• Block 23/26aS (excluding the Machar and Erskine fields) – Kerr-McGee 50% interest
• Block 30/1a – Kerr-McGee 50% interest
• Block 30/1e – Kerr-McGee 50% interest
Kerr-McGee also acquired an approximate 65% non-operating interest in block 22/15. Commercial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"Acquiring positions in these blocks bolsters our commitment to exploring the central North Sea, one of our core operating areas," Terence Jupp, Kerr-McGee's UK managing director, says. "These blocks are located near existing infrastructure, which would allow for economical development of future discoveries."
In addition to pursuing an active new business development program, Kerr-McGee expects to drill four to six exploration wells per year in the North Sea. Kerr-McGee operates the Gryphon, Janice, Leadon, and Tullich fields in the North Sea.
Kerr-McGee's development planning for the North Sea discoveries at James, Donan, and Affleck is progressing. James is being developed as a subsea tieback to the Janice facility with first production expected in early 2005. First oil from Donan and Affleck is expected in mid-2006.
09/07/04