The NSTA is committed to maximising the well value cycle on the UKCS through effective regulation, promotion and by using its influence with licensees, the supply chain and relevant bodies.

A Wells Strategy has been published which provides a framework of how the NSTA and industry will work together to deliver increased activity and improve performance.

Our 2024 Wells Insight Report provides a comprehensive insight into UKCS well stock and activity. The report includes trends and performance benchmarks in three distinct well categories: exploration and appraisal, new development wellbores, and existing well stock activities. The 2024 report reveals that well intervention is currently able to provide hydrocarbon production at a cost of less than £12/boe, a very attractive option at today’s oil and gas prices. In addition, well intervention requires fewer operational days, less construction material, minimal waste disposal, and lower fuel burn than drilling a new well, and therefore produces lower emissions.

Operators should strive to increase their well intervention activity to extend the production lifespan of their wells, and to provide a stable flow of work for the UK’s world-class supply chain, whose expertise is in demand globally. Suppliers, including rig owners, are increasingly seeking opportunities overseas due to a lack of contracting opportunities in the UKCS. It is vital that this capability is kept in the UK to deliver the floating wind, carbon storage and hydrogen projects which will accelerate the energy transition.

Key findings

  • Operators must bring viable shut-in wells back into production
  • Well intervention work provides attractive opportunities at an average £12/boe cost
  • Report shows urgent need to boost level of well activity and anchor the supply chain in the UK

In consultation with the industry, we have developed stewardship expectations across the oil and gas lifecycle, for operators and licensees.  The following are particularly relevant to the well lifecycle:

  • Stewardship Expectation 4 - Well activity performance
  • Stewardship Expectation 6 - Integrated field Management

(all Stewardship Expectations are available here)

 

Use the Well Data Search Tool to find basic well header data by quadrant and block (please note that this data is derived directly from WONS (the Well Operations Notification System on the Energy Portal) and may be subject to later alteration and update).

Offshore petroleum licensees must decommission wells in a timely and cost-efficient way, in accordance with their licence and other statutory obligations. Please click here to find out more including a downloadable spreadsheet of the current suspended well stock