Updated: 29th Seaward Licensing Round - (added)
Overview
Licensing rounds yield better quality bids than other methods. Unlike auctions, for instance, licensing rounds do not divert significant sums of money away from exploration work and they give a much better expectation that a licence will be awarded to the bid that promises to optimise exploitation of the UK’s petroleum resources.
Onshore and offshore licensing rounds generally take place every other year.
Below you can obtain information about current and previous licensing rounds including lists of offers made in each round, press notices, maps, and the contact details of operators offered licences. This includes data from as far back as 1964.
29th Seaward Licensing Round
On 27th July 2016, the Oil and Gas Authority (The OGA, an Executive Agency of BEIS) invited applications for Licences in the 29th Seaward Licensing Round. Applications for Licences will be accepted up to 2.00pm on the 26th October 2016.
Below is a list of links to: a Press Notice that includes a statement by Andy Samuel, the Chief Executive Officer of the OGA; the official invitation in the Official Journal of the European Union; an indicative guide to some of the other regulatory issues that will apply to successful applicants; a list of discoveries and fields where production has ceased in the seaward acreage being offered; and the Strategic Environmental Assessment that has been carried out by BEIS.
A Questions and Answer link is provided below which will be populated with new guidance that the OGA issues in response to enquiries during the Round.
All applications in the 29th Licensing Round will be submitted through the LARRY facility. (The Licensing Applications RepositoRY). This is a portal-based system that will lead the applicant through the process of compiling and submitting an application and will even take a credit card payment to cover the application fee, whilst guaranteeing security and confidentiality.
To use LARRY you need to be registered to use the Oil Portal – you can use your existing registration to use LARRY if you have one; if not you are welcome to register just to use LARRY.
Press Notice
Invitation to apply in the Official Journal of the European Union
29th Round - How to apply
General Guidance and Introduction
(PDF, 1000KB, 17 pages)
Guidance about the Technical aspects of any application
(PDF, 440KB, 12 pages)
Guidance about the Financial aspects of any application
Safety and Environmental Issues Licensing and Operatorship Guidance (Appendix C)
(PDF, 133KB, 7 pages)
Enter Point/Register to use LARRY
Guidance about the use of LARRY
(PDF, 2.81MB, 43 pages)
Other relevant information
List of Seaward Blocks on offer
(PDF, 159KB, 5 pages)
Other regulatory issues
(PDF, 3.24MB, 128 pages)
Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
(PDF, 9.46KB, 1 page)
29th Round - Maps of seaward acreage on offer
West of Scotland area
(PDF, 391KB, 1 page)
Northern North Sea
(PDF, 265KB, 1 page)
Mid North Sea High
(PDF, 336KB, 1 page)
Shapefiles
(ZIP, 544KB)
29th Round - Environmental Information
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Matrix of Blocks and Conservation Sites
(PDF, 1.48MB, 194 pages)
Some areas of UK controlled waters may be designated as Special Areas of Conservation. There is a map showing these areas, and a contact point for further information, in the link below. Potential Applicants are advised to take particular notice of the Special Areas of Conservation.
Proposed offshore Special Areas of Conservation
Other useful information
Discoveries and COP fields in Open Acreage
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 10.5KB)
The Crown Estate has significant interest in the offshore area which could potentially affect exploration and development proposals. Please see the link below for further information including a map of these interests. Potential applicants are advised to take particular notice of the interests that are shown for the blocks you wish to apply for.
The Crown Estate interest
TCE Leases and OG Licences
Information on levels of shipping activity
(PDF, 39.9KB, 6 pages)
29th Round - First point of contact
Jen Brzozowska
tel: 0300 067 1603
email: jen.brzozowska@oga.gsi.gov.uk
or alternatively:
Ricki Kiff
tel: 0300 067 1637
email: ricki.kiff@oga.gsi.gov.uk
14th Landward Licensing Round
On 17 December 2015, the Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) announced that licences for a total of 159 blocks were formally offered to successful applicants under the 14th Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round
The 14th Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round was launched on 28 July 2014 and closed on 28 October 2014. A total of 95 applications were received from 47 companies covering 295 Ordnance Survey Blocks. Following scrutiny of the applicants’ competency, financial viability, environmental awareness and geotechnical analysis, and following the decision not to award licences in Scotland and Wales, 159 blocks were taken forward for further consideration.
In August 2015, the OGA announced its intention to offer licences covering 27 blocks. These blocks did not require further environmental assessment under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (the Habitats Regulations). At this time, the OGA launched a consultation relating to a further 132 blocks that were subjected to further detailed assessment in accordance with the Habitats Regulations, and a public consultation on that assessment was carried out. Following the conclusion of the consultation process, the OGA is now satisfied that the approval of the 14th Licensing Round, and the award of each of the licences under the Round, will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of any protected European site. As a result, the OGA is offering licences for a total of 159 blocks. For 75 of these blocks, the licence will contain a condition that prohibits all or specific activities in parts of the block.
Details of the offers to successful applicants are provided below.
14th Onshore Licensing Round Offers by Operator
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 24.9KB)
14th Onshore Licensing Round contact details
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 11.8KB)
Map showing blocks offered under 14th Onshore Licensing Round
(PDF, 1.18MB, 1 page)
This interactive map has been produced by the OGA to assist companies and members of the public with information that will help them understand oil and gas exploration and production activity onshore in Great Britain including those areas already under licence and those areas offered under the OGA’s 14th Onshore Licensing Round.
Update regarding applications made in Scotland and Wales
Following discussion with prospective licensees, and in accordance with the new devolution settlements set out in the Scotland Bill currently before Parliament and the soon to be introduced Wales Bill, the UK Government has decided that no new Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDLs) will be awarded in Scotland or Wales including as part of the 14th Round.
14th Round - Information and Guidance
Press Notice
Invitation to apply in the Official Journal of the European Union
Map of the Landward acreage on offer
(PDF, 1.12MB, 1 page)
Shape Files of the Landward acreage on offer
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Model Clauses (Terms and Conditions) to be included in Licences
Onshore geotechnical data
UK Onshore Geophysical Library
Statement to the House of Commons
Questions and Answers on Application - (updated 07/10/2014)
(PDF, 273KB, 10 pages)
General Guidance and Introduction
(PDF, 456KB, 13 pages)
Guidance about the Environmental aspects of any application (14R)
(PDF, 325KB, 4 pages)
Guidance about the Technical aspects of any application (14R)
(PDF, 450KB, 12 pages)
General financial Guidance
14th Round - Other Issues
The award of a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDLs) do not automatically give permission for operations to begin. The necessary planning and regulatory consents will be required before development can take place. All proposals will subsequently be scrutinised by the Environment Agency, and by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Consent from the OGA is also required before exploration or production drilling or production activities can commence.
Regulatory Road Map (Intended as a first point of reference to understand the permitting and permissions process for exploratory work in oil and gas development, onshore in the UK)
Magic Database (Showing historically and environmentally protected sites)
Water Source Protection Zones (where drilling is likely to be prohibited)
Interactive map of Aquifers and shales
The Coal Authority manages the UK’s coal reserves and must agree to any access to coal formations for any purpose.
Certain processes capture native hydrocarbons, which originate in coal seams. The exploitation of these require permission from the Coal Authority (for access to the coal) and a licence from DECC (for capture of the hydrocarbons). The processes include Coalbed methane (CBM) which liberates native methane from virgin coal seams and vent gas (also called mines gas) which captures methane from working or disused mines.
Map of existing Coal Authority Licences/Leases
(PDF, 988KB, 1 page)
14th Round - Point of Contact
General Round enquiries
oilandgaslicensing@oga.gsi.gov.uk
Surface Development Restrictions
On 4th November 2015, the Department of Energy and Climate Change set out proposals for where fracking cannot be conducted from wells drilled at the surface.
These include, among others, National Parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom said:
“The UK has one of the best track records in the world when it comes to protecting our environment while developing our industries.
“We have the right protections in place to ensure that fracking can go ahead safely without risk to our most beautiful and important natural sites. People should have confidence in these protections and in this vital industry which could create over 60,000 jobs and be worth billions of pounds to our economy – that is why we are providing further reassurance for our most valued areas.”
Surface development restrictions for hydraulic fracturing
(PDF, 289KB, 16 pages)
Government response on surface development restrictions for hydraulic fracturing
(PDF, 680KB, 39 pages)
Regulatory triage assessment
(PDF, 153KB, 11 pages)
28th Round Second Tranche of Offers
These awards detailed below are conditional on compliance with the Offshore Safety Directive Regulations
Details of the offer of awards
Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Administrator
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 13.9KB)
Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Block
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 14.1KB)
28th Round second tranche of award company contacts
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 12.9KB)
Maps of seaward acreage offered
West of Shetlands Area
(PDF, 232KB, 1 page)
Northern North Sea Area
(PDF, 242KB, 1 page)
North Sea Southern Area
(PDF, 218KB, 1 page)
North Channel and Morecambe Bay
(PDF, 310KB, 1 page)
South West Approaches
(PDF, 331KB, 1 page)
28th Seaward Licensing Round
On 6th November 2014, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced the offer of awards for Licenses in the 28th Seaward Licensing Round.
Below is a list of links detailing the offer and the Press Notice that includes a statement by Matt Hancock, the Minister for Energy.
Please note, as required by the Habitats Directive, a screening assessment has been carried out of the Blocks applied for in the 28th Round. As a result, 94 of the Blocks applied for, which are close to, or in, certain Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), will be subject to further environmental assessments before any offer is made. A link to the page where this screening document appears on DECC’s website is provided below.
28th Round - awards
DECC press notice
Written Parliamentary Statement
Habitats screening Assessment
Details of the offer of awards
Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Administrator
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 20.3KB)
Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Block
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 20.2KB)
Winning marks - by Block
(PDF, 1.41MB, 7 pages)
Contact details of companies offered licences in the 28th Round
(PDF, 131KB, 2 pages)
Maps of seaward acreage offered
West of Shetlands Area
(PDF, 226KB, 1 page)
North Sea Northern Area
(PDF, 221KB, 1 page)
North Sea Central Area
(PDF, 302KB, 1 page)
North Sea Southern Area
(PDF, 276KB, 1 page)
English Channel
(PDF, 279KB, 1 page)
North Channel and Morecambe Bay
(PDF, 310KB, 1 page)
West of Hebrides Area
(PDF, 212KB, 1 page)
28th Round - Contacts
First point of contact on 28th seaward round awards
Jen Brzozowska
tel: 0300 068 6030
email: jen.brzozowska@oga.gsi.gov.uk
Alternate contact
Ricki Kiff
tel: 0300 068 6042
email: ricki.kiff@oga.gsi.gov.uk
IT Technical enquires
UK Oil Portal support line:
Email : ukop@oga.gsi.gov.uk
Final Award in the 26th Round For Seaward Blocks 41/18 & 41/19
The Minister for Energy, John Hayes, announced on 3rd April 2013 a final 26th Licensing Round award for seaward Blocks 41/18 & 41/19.
Please see links below for more detail
Information on final award
(MS Word Document, 11.8KB)
Map of blocks 41/18 and 41/19
(PDF, 127KB, 1 page)
27th Round First Tranche of Offers
Details of the offer of awards
DECC press notice
Potential awards in the 27th Round - by Administrator
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 20.8KB)
Potential awards in the 27th Round - by Block
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 20.7KB)
Winning marks - by Block
(MS Word Document, 31.7KB)
Contact details of companies offered licences in the 27th Round
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 14.9KB)
Maps of seaward acreage offered
West of Shetlands Area
(PDF, 215KB, 1 page)
North Sea Northern Area
(PDF, 206KB, 1 page)
North Sea Central Area
(PDF, 190KB, 1 page)
North Sea Southern Area
(PDF, 203KB, 1 page)
West of Scotland
(PDF, 305KB, 1 page)
27th Round Second Tranche of Offers
Details of the offer of awards
Potential awards in the 27th Round - by Administrator
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 17.6KB)
Potential awards in the 27th Round - by Block
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 17.5KB)
Maps of seaward acreage offered
West of Shetlands Area
(PDF, 212KB, 1 page)
North Sea Central Area
(PDF, 229KB, 1 page)
North Sea Southern Area
(PDF, 216KB, 1 page)
English Channel
(PDF, 221KB, 1 page)
North Channel and Morecambe Bay
(PDF, 393KB, 1 page)
Out of Round - Seaward blocks 211/18e & 211/19c
Out of Round - Seaward blocks 211/18e & 211/19c
(PDF, 4.96KB, 1 page)
Past licensing rounds
Round
Year
Blocks offered
Blocks applied for
Blocks awarded
Appns
Licences
Licence numbers
Licence terms (years)(f)
1
1964
960
394
348
31
53
P001-P053
6+40
2
1965
1102
127
127
21
37
P054-P090
6+40
3
1970
157
117
106
34
37
P091-P127
6+40
4(a)
1971-2
436
286
282
259
118
P128-P245
6+40
5
1976-7
71
51
44
53
28
P259-P286
4+3+30
6
1978-9
46
46
42
55
26
P297-P322
4+3+30
7
1980-1
395
97
90
125
91
P325-P415
6+30
8(a)
1982-3
184
84
70
60
55
P417-P471
6+30
9(a)
1984-5
195
120
93
149
89
P477-P565
6+30
10
1986-7
127
61
51
75
51
P566-P616
6+30
11
1988-9
212
115
115
125
105
P617-P721
6+12+18
12
1990-1
161
116
107
115
74
P722-P795
6+12+18
13(b)
1990-1
117
66
66
13
6
P796-P801
9+15+24
14
1992-3
484
128
110
97
79
P803-P881
6+12+18
15
1994
81
34
29
25
20
P882-P901
6+12+18
16
1994-5
164
82
79
61
45
P902-P946
6+12+18
17
1996-7
275
127
114
32
25
P948-P972
3+6+15+24
18
1998
602
82
78
43
47
P975-P1021
6+12+18
19
2000-1
44
12
12
13
8
P1023-P1030
6+12+18
20
2002
289
36
36
29
25
P1039-P1063
4+4+18
21
2003
611
211
138
70
89
P1064-P1152
4+4+18
22
2004
1039
164
162
76
96
P1159-P1253
4+4+18(e) 2+4+6+18(d)
23
2005
1329
274
259
135
151
P1254-P1404
4+4+18(e) 2+4+6+18(d)
24
2007
1411
255
246
147
150
P1406-P1555
4+4+18(e) 2+4+6+18(d)
25
2009
2297
279
303
193
185
P1556-P1740
4+4+18(e) 6+6+18(d)
26
2010
2818
356
378
187
190
P1741-P1928
4+4+18(e) 6+6+18(d)
27
2012
2788
418
xx
224
xx
xx
4+4+18(e) 6+6+18(d)
Licences issued other than in formal licensing rounds, including Segregation Licences and Out-of-Round Licences, are not included here.
One Licence number (P476) was allocated but not used.
Since the 11th Round, licences have continued into final term only if development had already approved or imminent.
A single application may cover separated areas, leading to more than one licence, which is why licences awarded may outnumber applications.
‘Blocks’ includes parts of blocks.
Table footnotes
(a) Five blocks offered in sealed-bid auction; the rest in standard way
(b) Frontier round
(c) One third relinquishment if two or more wells drilled; two thirds if only one well drilled; all if no wells drilled
(d) Frontier licences
(e) Traditional and/or Promote licences
(f) According to original terms of licences; subject therefore to subsequent circumstances and amendments
(x) Figures not yet available
Company contacts for previous rounds
25th round
(MS Word Document, 138KB)
24th round
(MS Excel Spreadsheet, 20.5KB)
23rd round
(MS Word Document, 50.5KB)
20th round
(MS Word Document, 55.5KB)
Environmental Report
(PDF, 1.67MB, 119 pages)
Appendices 1, 2 and 3
(PDF, 566KB, 72 pages)
Information about the following past licensing rounds is available on the National Archives:
Out-of-round offer on Seaward Block 103/1 - closed 17 November 2010
26th offshore licensing round - closed 28 April 2010
25th offshore licensing round - closed 22 May 2008
13th onshore licensing round - closed 6 February 2008
24th offshore licensing round - closed 16 June 2006
23rd offshore licensing round - closed 9 June 2005
22nd offshore and 12th onshore licensing rounds - closed 9 June 2004
21st offshore and 11th onshore licensing rounds - closed 31 July 2003
10th onshore licensing round - closed 1 April 2001