Licensing rounds
We hold offshore and onshore licensing rounds, inviting applications from companies and making awards to those bids that promise to maximise economic recovery of the UK’s oil and gas resources, whilst supporting the drive to net zero carbon by 2050.
32nd Offshore Licensing Round
On 11th July 2019, the 32nd UK Offshore Licensing Round officially opened and we invited applications for licences. Applications were accepted up to 14.00 on the 12th November 2019 through the LARRY system on the Energy Portal.
On 3 September 2020, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) offered for award 113 licence areas over 260 blocks or part-blocks to 65 companies in the 32nd Offshore Licensing Round.
The round offered blocks in mature, producing areas close to existing infrastructure, under the flexible terms of the Innovate Licence. This enables applicants to define a licence duration and phasing that will allow them to execute the optimal work programme. The majority of the licences will enter the Initial Term (Phase A or Phase B exploration stage), and 16 of the awards are for licences that will proceed straight to Second Term, either for potential developments, or re-developments of fields where production had ceased and the acreage had been relinquished.
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The 32nd Offshore Licensing Round [CLICK TO EXPAND]
Offer of Awards Maps
Offer of Award Tables
- Table of potential awards by administrator
- Table of potential awards by block
- Contact details of companies offered licences in the 32nd Round
General information - pre-award stage
- Press notice at opening of round
- Invitation to apply in the Official Journal of the European Union
- Updated List of offshore blocks on offer
- UPDATE 23/8/19 Questions and answers
How to apply
- General guidance and introduction
- Guidance about the technical aspects of any application
- Guidance on the financial requirements to be used in the Round
- Safety and environmental issues licensing and operatorship guidance (Appendix C)
- Entry point/register to use LARRY
- Guidance about the use of LARRY
- Other regulatory issues
Maps and data
- 32nd Round data releases
- OGA Open Data
- Prospects and Leads database from Relinquishment Reports
- Caister Murdoch System (CMS) Area 32nd Round Data Release Package
- SNS released megamerge 3D seismic data (available through the NDR which requires users to register)
Environmental Information
- Strategic Environmental Assessment
- JNCC UK Marine Protected Areas
- UPDATED 32nd Licensing Round – Matrix of Blocks and conservation Sites
Other useful information
- The OGA Data Centre
- The Crown Estate - Offshore Activity Maps
- The Crown Estate Scotland - Activity Maps
Cross-Border Opportunities
Applicants may be interested in offshore licensing rounds in jurisdictions that border the UKCS, which may offer opportunities for cross-border developments.
Contact us
General application enquiries
Email: Licensing_Round@ogauthority.co.uk
LARRY Queries - Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@ogauthority.co.uk
Rhum Area Out of Round
On the 1st August 2019, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has launched a restricted Out of Round offer for two blocks 3/24c & 3/29c, around the Northern North Sea Rhum Field.
Applications are to be made via the LARRY system on the Energy Portal and will follow the normal Licensing Round Application process. Please see attached Guidelines (below).
The offer is open for 90 days and will close at 2:00pm on 30th October 2019. Decisions are expected to be made in Q4 2019.
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Rhum Area Out of Round [CLICK TO EXPAND]
How to Apply
- General guidance and introduction
- Guidance about the technical aspects of any application
- Guidance on the financial requirements to be used in the Round
- Safety and environmental issues licensing and operatorship guidance (Appendix C)
- Enter point/register to use LARRY
- Guidance about the use of LARRY
- Other regulatory issues
General Information
Maps
Environmental Information
31st Supplementary Offshore Licensing Round - Greater Buchan Area Plan
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has offered for award 4 licences to 3 companies in the 2019 31st Supplementary Offshore Licensing Round, which closed for applications in May 2019.
Eleven blocks were originally on offer in this Supplementary Round which was focussed in the Greater Buchan Area of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).
This was the first time the OGA has linked a licence round offer with an Area Plan and the application process included the requirement for applicants to demonstrate their wider area plan development concepts and to seek to collaborate with other area licensees and applicants.
The round offered blocks under flexible terms, enabling applicants to define a licence duration and phasing that will allow them to execute the optimal MER UK work programme.
In all, 4 applications covering 5 blocks were received and the OGA is now ready to make offers of award in respect of 4 licences covering the 5 blocks.
Two of the awards are for work programmes that will proceed straight to Second Term, either for potential developments, or re-developments of fields where production had ceased and the acreage had been relinquished. The remainder of the licences will enter the Initial Term (exploration stage).
Scott Robertson, CNS Area manager, said: “From bringing together interested parties at an early stage to releasing extensive digital data in advance of the licence round, the OGA sought to facilitate a common understanding and industry collaboration. The resulting commendable level of engagement between operators and high quality applications enabled us to make awards confident that the right assets are going to be in the right hands to deliver the optimal MER development of the Greater Buchan area. We look forward to working with the awardees as they deliver on their work programs and commitments and to exploit the opportunities to re-purpose and sustain existing infrastructure.”
The OGA fully supports the transition to a low carbon economy. Government forecasts show that oil and gas will remain an important part of our energy mix for the foreseeable future, and maximising economic recovery from the UKCS is therefore vital to meet our energy demands and reduce reliance on imports.
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31st Supplementary Licensing Round information (Click to expand)
Offer of Awards
- Offer of awards announcement
- Revised 31st Supplementary Round - potential awards by block
- 31st Supplementary Round - potential awards map
Historical Application stage information
How to Apply
- General guidance and introduction
- Guidance about the technical aspects of any application
- Guidance on the financial requirements to be used in the Round
- Safety and environmental issues licensing and operatorship guidance (Appendix C)
- Enter point/register to use LARRY
- Guidance about the use of LARRY
- Other regulatory issues
General Information
- Press Release
- Industry Engagement Session - presentation
- Q+A from Industry Engagement Session
- Invitation to apply in the Official Journal of the European Union
- List of offshore blocks on offer
- Questions and answers [contains an important update in relation to the Financial Information page on the LARRY system]
Maps
Environmental Information
- Strategic Environmental Assessment
- 31st Supplementary Licensing Round – Matrix of Blocks and Conservation Sites
Other useful information
Contact us
Alistair Macfarlane
Business Development Manager - Central North Sea
Tel: 0300 020 1092
Email: alistair.macfarlane@ogauthority.co.uk
LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@ogauthority.co.uk
The 31st Offshore Licensing Round
On 10th July 2018, we invited applications for licences in the 31st Offshore Licensing Round. Applications were accepted up to 14.00 on the 7th November 2018 through the LARRY system on the Energy Portal.
The Round attracted 36 applications covering 164 blocks in frontier areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). For full details on the applications received please see the related Press Release.
On 4 June 2019, the Oil and Gas Authority offered for award 37 licence areas over 141 blocks or part-blocks to 30 companies in the 31st Offshore Licensing Round.
These successful awards act as a strong platform for future exploration and production in frontier areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) in the Faroe-Shetland Basin, Moray Firth, East Irish Sea, East Shetland Platform, Mid North Sea High and English Channel.
A number of proposed new work programmes have been secured in this round, including new shoot seismic acquisition, with two licences progressing straight to field development planning (second term licences).
Overall, the awards have been offered to a broad spectrum of companies; with super-majors expanding their footprint and new entrant companies investing for the first time.
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31st Offshore Licensing Round information and resources (CLICK TO EXPAND)
General information
Offer of awards maps
- Central North Sea North
- Central North Sea South
- Northern North Sea WOS
- Southern North Sea
- Irish Sea
- Shapefiles
Offer of awards tables
- Table of potential awards by Administrator
- Table of potential awards by block
- Contact details of companies offered licences in the 31st Round
Other information
- Press notice at close of round
- Press notice
- Invitation to apply in the Official Journal of the European Union
- List of offshore blocks on offer
- Questions and answers [note the latest update contains an important update in relation to the Financial Information page on the LARRY system]
How to apply
- General guidance and introduction
- Guidance about the technical aspects of any application
- Guidance on the financial requirements to be used in the Round
- Safety and environmental issues licensing and operatorship guidance (Appendix C)
- Enter point/register to use LARRY
- Guidance about the use of LARRY
- Other regulatory issues
Maps
Environmental Information
Other useful information
Cross-Border Opportunities
Applicants may be interested in offshore licensing rounds in jurisdictions that border the UKCS, which may offer opportunities for cross-border developments.
- Cross-border Opportunities - Faroes/UK
- Ireland (open door in Celtic Sea)
- Denmark 8th Round
- Netherlands (open door)
Guidance on cross-border developments
Contact us
Licensing_Round@ogauthority.co.uk
LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@ogauthority.co.uk
30th Offshore Licensing Round
On 25 July 2017, we invited applications for licences in the 30th Offshore Licensing Round. The round closed for applications on 21 November 2017. On 23 May 2018 we announced the offer of awards in the 30th Offshore Licensing Round.
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30th Offshore Licensing Round information and resources (CLICK TO EXPAND)
General Information
- Press Notice: Opening of 30th Offshore Licensing Round
- Press Notice: Data Release in support of 30th Round
Awards
- Potential awards in the 30th Round - by Administrator
- Potential awards in the 30th Round - by Block
- Winning marks - by Block
- Contact details of companies offered licences in the 30th Round
Maps
- NNS Potential awards map
- CNS (N) Potential awards map
- CNS (S) Potential awards map
- SNS Potential awards map
- WoS Potential awards map
- EIS Potential awards map
- Shapefiles
How to Apply
- General guidance and introduction
- Guidance about the technical aspects of any application
- The financial requirements to be used in the 30th Offshore Licensing Round
- Safety and environmental issues licensing and operatorship guidance (Appendix C)
- Enter point/register to use LARRY
- Guidance about the use of LARRY
- Other regulatory issues
- Model Clauses to be applied to licences issued in the 30th Licensing Round
- Questions and answers
- Marks Scheme Reference Sheet
- Interactive Map of Offshore Licences and Blocks
- Relinquishment reports
- Undeveloped Discoveries
- Exploration Data Packages
Environmental Information
Other useful information
Cross-border opportunities
Applicants may be interested in offshore licensing rounds in jurisdictions that border the UKCS, which may offer opportunities for cross-border developments.
Guidance on cross-border developments
Data Room
Undeveloped Discoveries
Technology Forum - 22 August 2017
Contact us:
Jen Brzozowska Tel: 0300 067 1603 Email: jen.brzozowska@ogauthority.co.uk
Ricki Kiff Tel: 0300 067 1637 Email: ricki.kiff@ogauthority.co.uk
LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk Tel: 0300 067 1682 Email: ukop@ogauthority.co.uk
29th Offshore Licensing Round
On 27 July 2016, we invited applications for licences in the 29th Offshore Licensing Round. The Round closed on 26 October 2016. On 23 March 2017 we announced the offer of awards in the 29th Offshore Licensing Round.
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29th Offshore Licensing Round information and resources (CLICK TO EXPAND)
General information
Awards
- Potential awards in the 29th Round - by Administrator
- Potential awards in the 29th Round - by Block
- Winning marks - by Block
- Contact details of companies offered licences in the 29th Round
Maps
- West of Scotland potential awards map (PDF, 393KB, 1 page)
- Northern North Sea potential awards map (PDF, 266KB, 1 page)
- Mid North Sea High potential awards map (PDF, 337KB, 1 page)
- Shapefiles
How to apply
- Invitation to apply in the Official Journal of the European Union
- General guidance and introduction (PDF, 1000KB, 17 pages)
- Guidance about the technical aspects of any application (PDF, 440KB, 12 pages)
- Guidance about the financial aspects of any application (PDF, 200KB, 11 pages)
- Safety and environmental issues licensing and operatorship guidance (Appendix C) (PDF, 133KB, 7 pages)
- Enter point/register to use LARRY
- Guidance about the use of LARRY (PDF, 2.81MB, 43 pages)
Environmental Information
Other useful information
Contact us
Jen Brzozowska
Tel: 0300 067 1603
Email: jen.brzozowska@ogauthority.co.ukRicki Kiff
Tel: 0300 067 1637
Email: ricki.kiff@ogauthority.co.ukLARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@ogauthority.co.uk
2016 Offshore Supplementary Round
On 6 December 2016, we invited applications for licences in the Offshore 2016 Supplementary Round.
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2016 Offshore Supplementary Round information and resources (CLICK TO EXPAND)
General information
Awards
- Potential awards in the Supplementary Round - by Block
- Winning Marks - by Block
- Contact details of companies offered licences in the awards in the 2016 Supplementary Round
Maps
How to apply
- Invitation to apply in the Official Journal of the European Union
- Guidance for Production Licence applicants (PDF, 447KB, 16 pages)
- Guidance about the technical aspects of any application (PDF, 440KB, 12 pages)
- Guidance about the financial aspects of any application (PDF, 200KB, 11 pages)
- Safety and environmental issues licensing and operatorship guidance (Appendix C)
- Enter point/register to use LARRY
- Guidance about the use of LARRY (PDF, 2.81MB, 43 pages)
Environmental Information
Other useful information
Contact us
Jen Brzozowska
Tel: 0300 067 1603
Email: jen.brzozowska@ogauthority.co.ukRicki Kiff
Tel: 0300 067 1637
Email: ricki.kiff@ogauthority.co.ukLARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@ogauthority.co.uk
28th Offshore Licensing Round
On 6 November 2014, we invited applications for licences in the 28th Offshore Licensing Round.
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28th Offshore Licensing Round information and resources (CLICK TO EXPAND)
General information
Awards: Second tranche
- Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Administrator (MS Excel Spreadsheet,13.9KB)
- Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Block (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 14.1KB)
- 28th Round second tranche of award company contacts (MS Excel Spreadsheet,12.9KB)
Awards: First tranche
- Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Administrator (MS Excel Spreadsheet,20.3KB)
- Potential awards in the 28th Round - by Block (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 20.2KB)
- Winning marks - by Block (PDF, 1.41MB, 7 pages)
- Contact details of companies offered licences in the 28th Round (PDF, 131KB, 2 pages)
Maps
- West of Shetlands Area (PDF, 232KB, 1 page)
- Northern North Sea Area (PDF, 242KB, 1 page)
- North Sea Southern Area (PDF, 218KB, 1 page)
- North Channel and Morecambe Bay (PDF, 310KB, 1 page)
- South West Approaches (PDF, 331KB, 1 page)
- West of Shetlands Area (PDF, 226KB, 1 page)
- North Sea Northern Area (PDF, 221KB, 1 page)
- North Sea Central Area (PDF, 302KB, 1 page)
- North Sea Southern Area (PDF, 276KB, 1 page)
- English Channel (PDF, 279KB, 1 page)
- North Channel and Morecambe Bay (PDF, 310KB, 1 page)
- West of Hebrides Area (PDF, 212KB, 1 page)
Environmental information
Contact us
Jen Brzozowska
Tel: 0300 068 6030
Email: jen.brzozowska@ogauthority.co.uk
Ricki Kiff
Tel: 0300 068 6042
Email: ricki.kiff@ogauthority.co.uk