BG awarded key blocks in 21st UK licensing round

Aug. 6, 2003
The UK Department of Trade and Industry has awarded BG Group North Sea Blocks 20/11, 20/12, 13/22c, and part of 13/27 in the 21st UK licensing round. BG will operate Blocks 20/12, 13/22c and 13/27 (part), and will manage the development phase of Block 20/11.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Aug. 6 -- The UK Department of Trade and Industry has awarded BG Group North Sea Blocks 20/11, 20/12, 13/22c, and part of 13/27 in the 21st UK licensing round. BG will operate Blocks 20/12, 13/22c and 13/27 (part), and will manage the development phase of Block 20/11.

The acreage consolidates BG's position in the Outer Moray Firth in core areas adjacent to Buzzard, Blake, and Atlantic & Cromarty fields.

The results also strengthen BG's positions in the "hub" areas where it already has significant operations, said Jon Wormley, BG executive vice-president for the UK July 31.

Blocks 20/11 and 20/12 are to the south-southeast of Buzzard oil field where BG holds 19.99% equity in the southern P986 part of the field and 29.412% in the northern P928 S part of the field. BG, holding a 62.5% equity interest, will operate 20/12 with its partner Intrepid Energy North Sea Ltd. 37.5%.

Calgary-based EnCana Corp., 30%, will operate the exploration phase of Block 20/11, with BG 31.25% being named operator of the development phase. Other partners include Intrepid 18.75%, Austria's OMV AG 17.5%, and Edinburgh Oil & Gas 2.5%. The total work commitments on these two blocks include a 3D seismic survey and a well in Block 20/11 to test an Upper Jurassic prospect in 2004.

Blocks 13/22c and 13/27 are to the west of BG's Blake oil field and Atlantic & Cromarty gas fields. BG, with 50% interest, will operate both blocks with partners Intrepid 30% and Paladin Resources PLC, London, 20%. Work commitments on both blocks include seismic reprocessing and one contingent well.