Activity Survey 2014

ACTIVITY SURVEY 2014

Exploration and Appraisal Drilling

Exploration and appraisal (E&A) drilling (including sidetracks) decreased from 53 wells in 2012 to 44 in 2013. This decline is due mainly to the drop in exploration drilling from 22 wells in 2012 to only 15 in 2013. Appraisal drilling numbers were similar, at 31 wells in 2012 and 29 in 2013. Expenditure on E&A activity, including seismic data acquisition and interpretation, was £1.6 billion in 2013, compared to £1.7 billion in 2012.

Figure 7: Exploration and Appraisal Wells, including Sidetracks

50

45

Exploration Sidetracks Exploration Wells

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

Number of Wells Drilled including Sidetracks

5

0

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: DECC

90

80

Appraisal Sidetracks Appraisal Wells

70

60

50

40

30

20

Number of Wells Drilled including Sidetracks

10

0

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: DECC

page 14