Southern North Sea Tight Gas Strategy

The OGA estimates that there are some 3.8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of remaining gas accessible within the Southern North Sea (SNS), inclusive of infill opportunities, undeveloped discoveries and prospects.

Tight gas reservoirs are often disregarded as both high cost and high risk. Licence holders tend to focus their resources on opportunities that are less complex, have lower development costs and higher recovery factors. The successful implementation of this Tight Gas Strategy represents an opportunity to unlock this remaining potential within the SNS.

Beyond the immediate benefits, the development of tight gas opportunities also has the ability to extend the economic life of the remaining infrastructure and thereafter stimulate field redevelopments, as well as marginal pools. Further tangible benefits may also be derived by the local supply chain through the stimulation of activity, as well as building local capability and expertise in tight gas.

The aim of this strategy is to help deliver tight gas developments across the SNS in support of the OGA’s Maximising Economic Recovery strategy for the UK (MER UK) and furthermore the OGA’s objectives and priorities within the Corporate Plan 2016-2021.