Activity Survey 2014

ACTIVITY SURVEY 2014

Exploration Outlook

Operators currently indicate that they could drill around 25 exploration wells and 11 appraisal wells in 2014, of which 18 were postponed from 2013. This forecast considers only those wells with a probability of greater than 50 per cent of being drilled. A further total of 66 E&A wells are anticipated to be drilled from 2015 to 2016, again on a similar risked basis. The likelihood of these wells being drilled, especially those forecast this year, will depend on companies’ abilities to overcome the constraints which have impaired activity in recent years. Operators forecast that the central North Sea will remain themost active region for E&A drilling in 2014, accounting for half of the total forecast (18 wells). The southern North Sea is forecast to deliver almost a quarter of the wells (eight) in 2013, making it the second most active region. The remainder of E&A wells come from the west of Shetland (five), the northern North Sea (three), and the west of Britain/Irish Sea (two).

Figure 12: Exploration and Appraisal Forecast

120

Appraisal Sidetracks Appraisal Wells Exploration Sidetracks Exploration Wells

100

80

60

40

20

Number of Wells Drilled including Sidetracks

0

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Source: Oil & Gas UK, DECC

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