The Department of Energy and Climate Change yesterday said demand for new North Sea production licences was amongst the highest it had been since the first licensing round in 1964.
DECC said the 28th Offshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round had seen 134 new permits offered across 252 blocks, while decisions on a further group of applications were pending.
“We are determined to make the most out of the North Sea and have moved quickly to implement the findings of Sir Ian Wood’s review,” Business and Energy Minister Matthew Hancock said.
“This successful licensing round, which is on track to be one of biggest rounds ever in five decades, is a boost for the UK economy and shows that our long-term economic plan is working.”
Energy Secretary Ed Davey added: “This demonstrates the continuing attractiveness both of the UKCS as an oil and gas producing province and of our approach to offering a range of licences meeting a diverse range of needs.”
