Oil giant Total has announced its plans to drill in the North Sea.

The French company will operate a well at its Sween prospect from the third quarter of this year.

It is located in water depths of around 100m, 150km east of the Shetland Islands and around 80km from the firm’s Alwyn platform.

The company stated if the exploration succeeds it will consider a development of Sween through a tie-back to existing other facilities.

Elisabeth Proust, Managing Director of Total E&P UK said: “It is a particularly challenging time for the offshore industry where every penny counts. Nevertheless, we will continue to look for opportunities to improve our position and thereby create value.”

Yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron announced £20 million support to oil and gas sector in the North Sea.