UK announces winners of onshore licenses

June 2, 2008
The UK government has awarded 54 companies onshore licenses in its 13th licensing round designed to encourage investment in the mature basin.

Uchenna Izundu
International Editor

LONDON, June 2 -- The UK government has awarded 54 companies onshore licenses in its 13th licensing round designed to encourage investment in the mature basin.

It awarded 97 petroleum exploration and development licenses to a variety of independent companies, including Northern Petroleum, Providence Resources, and IGas.

Northern Petroleum will operate PEDL240 in partnership with EnCore Oil on Blocks SZ38 South and SZ48 West South on the Isle of Wight.

Operator Providence Resources and its partner NP Weald will examine the Baxter's Copse oil discovery and the Burton Down exploration prospect on Block SU91.

IGas, a coalbed methane developer in the UK, will explore seven blocks in northwestern England with its partner Nexen Exploration UK. The acreage is within 15 km of existing drilling operations.

Egdon Resources was offered six licenses covering eight blocks or partial blocks in the round in the East Midlands and Wessex basin. They expand the company's acreage and opportunity base within core areas.

The government awarded Europa Oil & Gas an exploration license in North Lincolnshire. Europa will operate the license and hold a 50% working interest; Valhalla Oil & Gas Ltd. will hold the remainder.

The block is in the Humber basin, which contains Europa's Crosby Warren oil field and the 90 bcf Saltfleetby gas field. One well has been drilled on the license area to date.

Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].