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9.2 Cost Control
Operating costs in the North Sea have been well managed over much of its producing life and have generally been
internationally competitive. However, over the last five years, it has become more difficult to control operating
costs as global competition for resources has intensified. This scenario has been particularly stark in the UK, with
more fields producing beyond their initially intended field life, needing more regular maintenance and intensive
asset integrity interventions. In Norway, earlier government intervention ensured that both cost and activity were
kept at more sustainable levels with annual operating cost growth never surpassing ten per cent.
Figure 53: Indexed Operating Costs
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Indexed Operating Costs
UKCS
NCS
Source: OGA, Oil & Gas UK, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate