The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) is inviting applications for licences to explore and potentially develop 898 blocks and part-blocks in the North Sea which may lead to over 100 licences being awarded.
Acreage will be offered in the West of Shetland, Northern North Sea, Central North Sea, Southern North Sea and East Irish Sea. To support bids, the NSTA is publishing data packs with summaries of key prospects and discoveries to stimulate exploration and encourage new opportunities.
The opening of the licensing round follows the publication of the Climate Compatibility Checkpoint and the Strategic Environmental Assessment (OESEA4).
The application period will run until 14:00 hrs GMT on Thursday 12 January 2023, during which time applicants will be able to assess the opportunities and make applications from early October. It is expected that the first licences will be awarded from the second quarter of 2023.
Source: NSTA.