Offshore staff

LONDON --Britain's Department of Trade and Industry has issued 150 new production licenses under the country's 24th Seaward Licensing Round. Sixty-seven companies gained operatorships, but numerous majors such as BP, ExxonMobil, and Shell, did not apply.

Among the more active newcomers to the UK sector, Maersk Oil North Sea became operator of 11 new blocks and part-blocks. Sweden's Lundin Petroleum gained six, and Canada's Ithaca Energy acquired operating interests in seven blocks. Two of these are adjacent to the company's Athena Lower Cretaceous discovery in the Outer Moray Firth, and one includes a separate find, Athena East, which tested oil from Upper Jurassic reservoirs at 1,250 b/d.

EnCore Oil gained seven licenses comprising 12 blocks and part-blocks – five under traditional license terms, and seven under the UK's promote license terms. The work commitment on block 14/30a may lead to a well on an undeveloped heavy oil discovery. Granby Oil & Gas secured seven licenses, bringing it operatorship of 15 blocks and part-blocks. Geophysical contractor TGS-Nopec will partner Granby in two of these licenses.

02/2/2007