Guidance

Oil and gas: wells

How to use the Oil Portal to apply for consent to drilling operations; details of other statements, notifications and monitoring required.

From:
Oil and Gas Authority
Published
22 January 2013
Last updated
31 August 2016 — See all updates

This guidance was withdrawn on

The Oil & Gas Authority launched a new website on 3 October 2016 to reflect its new status as a government company.

This formalises the transfer of the Secretary of State’s regulatory powers in respect of oil and gas to the OGA, and grants it new powers. This website will no longer be updated. Visitors should refer to www.ogauthority.co.uk

Overview

Each application to drill (PON 4) is considered with respect to the fulfilment of specific licence obligations and impact on the environment and other users of the sea. Drilling and petroleum developments offshore are subject to the requirements of the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999, which implement the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (PON 15 and PON 16).

Individual well data

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 and may be subject to later alteration and update).

Approval process

Since November 2000 a new web-based well consent system (WONS - available through the Oil Portal) should be used (unless otherwise instructed by the OGA) by operators applying electronically for consent to drilling operations (replacing PON 4, PON 5 and PON 8). This has simplified the procedure for well consents by reducing the need for multiple applications and consents, and also provides a fast and secure method for transmitting information. Applications to drill should be submitted at least 28 days in advance.

Contact Phil Harrison at phil.harrison@oga.gsi.gov.uk for details and instructions for company registration.

A full environmental statement may be required for wells determined as likely to have significant effect on the environment by virtue of their nature, size or location.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires a 21-day notification period for well applications. The Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations 1996 are applicable to these activities

 Data requirements

Data collection starts once a well has been spudded when the operator submits a spud notification on WONS. The OGA will issue an official well number via WONS (see PON 12), which is to be used for all data and records resulting from the well’s drilling.

All well data requirements are set out in the documents PON 9 (offshore) and PON 9b (onshore) below.

Onshore operators have a statutory obligation to also supply well data to the British Geological Survey (BGS). Visit the BGS website for more information.

Drilling activity

The following data will allow you to search for information about current drilling activity, as well as details of drilling activity that has already taken place – by year and by basin.

Current drilling

Drilling activity - current (last updated July 2016 - next update October 2016)

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 92 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email oga.correspondence@ogauthority.co.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Drilling activity by year

The table below provides a breakdown of total well numbers by year and by activity since 1964.

Drilling activity – by year

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 28 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email oga.correspondence@ogauthority.co.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Drilling activity by basin

The table below provides a breakdown of total well numbers by year and by basin since 1964.

Drilling activity – by basin

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 50 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email oga.correspondence@ogauthority.co.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Significant Discoveries

A breakdown of significant offshore discoveries, in date order - (updated August 2016)

PDF, 950 KB, 18 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email oga.correspondence@ogauthority.co.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Stratigraphy and lithology data

The following data has been provided by licence operators to the OGA and is released four years in arrears. Please note that while every care is taken to ensure the information is correct and up-to-date, the OGA does not guarantee its accuracy. Anyone relying on the information does so at their own risk

Updates to this page

Published 22 January 2013
Last updated 31 August 2016 + show all updates

  1. A breakdown of significant offshore discoveries - (updated)

  2. 2016 Drilling Activity - (updated)

  3. Drilling Activity 2016 - (updated)

  4. Drilling Activity 2015 - (updated)

  5. 2015 Drilling Activity - (updated)

  6. 2015 Drilling Activity - (updated)

  7. Oil and gas: Significant offshore discoveries, in date order - (updated)

  8. Oil and gas: drilling activity in 2014 - (updated)

  9. Oil and gas: 2014 Drilling Activity - (updated)

  10. Oil and gas: Drilling activity 2014 - (updated)

  11. Oil and gas: 2014 quarterly drilling activity - (updated)

  12. Oil and gas: drilling activity - (updated)

  13. Oil and gas: Significant discoveries to end January 2014 - (updated)

  14. Oil and gas: 2013 Drilling activity – (updated)

  15. Oil and gas: drilling activity updated

  16. 2013 Drilling activity - updated

  17. Drilling activity displayed as a spreadsheet

  18. Added 2013 Q1 drilling figures

  19. Updated significant discoveries

  20. First published.

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