New UK oil exploration maps released

New government-funded oil and gas exploration data has been made available for viewing. The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) released the results of the £20 million seismic programme to promote […]

New government-funded oil and gas exploration data has been made available for viewing.

The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) released the results of the £20 million seismic programme to promote exploration activity in underexplored areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

The information published contains nearly 19,000km of new mapping, new gravity and magnetic surveys, approximately 23,000km of reprocessed legacy seismic data and a rejuvenated set of digital well data.

The new surveys took place along the East Shetland Platform and South West Britain areas, with reprocessed datasets stretching along the English Channel and up the western areas of the UK as far as the Hebrides.

Jo Bagguley, OGA Principal Regional Geologist, said: “The seismic acquisition programme is a vital part of the OGA’s plan to help revitalise exploration with up to £40 million already spent to provide modern coverage of nearly all underexplored regions of the UKCS.

“This new data will provide valuable insight to companies identifying new plays and prospects ahead of the 31st Offshore Licensing Round in 2018.”

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