The UK’s hydrocarbons regulator has awarded 31 new exploration licences in the country’s North Sea waters, Reuters reported on Friday.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) awarded the licences under its 33rd oil and gas licensing round, bringing the total of licences awarded to 82. A total of 50 companies have been awarded licences.
Some of the licences overlap with zones earmarked for wind power projects.
“For any activity to take place, oil and gas operators will have to come to an agreement with wind lease holder[s] on how to proceed before further permission for activity is granted,” the NSTA said.
The 33rd licensing round has awarded exploration activity with the potential to add around 600 million boe by 2060, the agency reported.