UK: OGA makes new Buchan area data available in bid to revitalize exploration

UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has released new data packages to revitalize exploration of oil and gas in Greater Buchan Area on the UK Continental Shelf.

Source: Pixabay
Map of the Greater Buchan Area

The OGA announced the new data package release at the PROSPEX 2018 exhibition and conference on Wednesday.

The publication of a suite of subsurface data packages for the Greater Buchan Area is set for December 17 in advance of the opening of the Supplementary 31st Offshore Round in the first quarter of 2019.

OGA said that the latest data release included well/completion log data for 154 wells, ten released 3D seismic surveys, 26 relinquishment reports, and four promotional technical montages.

The regulator also initiated a new Area Plan to maximize economic recovery from the Greater Buchan area of the North Sea and is asking oil and gas operators to work together to develop the 150-300 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) estimated to be present in the area.

Situated in the Outer Moray Firth, the area features considerable open, currently unlicensed acreage, including several undeveloped discoveries.

Scott Robertson, central North Sea area manager at the OGA, said: “[…] the OGA is delighted to engage with the industry on the 2019 Supplementary Licence Round and announce the release of a suite of subsurface data for the Greater Buchan Area which has significant redevelopment opportunity, undeveloped discoveries and exploration potential.”

The openly available data packages can be accessed via links on the OGA website which include an area of interest outline for each of the products.