Sustained High Oil Price News

Subsea companies across the UK are set to grow by 20% or more in 2013, with some companies anticipating more than 50% growth. A survey of Subsea UK members revealed that 100% of firms are predicting significant growth in the next 12 months. Almost half expect to grow by 30% and a third by more than 50%. Almost 90% of those surveyed saw turnover and profits rise in 2012 with over half reporting growth of 20% and a fifth reporting more than 50% growth. The key drivers for growth were identified as a sustained high oil price…

Increased UK drilling and deal activity leads the way back to health in North West Europe says new report. A broader range of tax allowances and a sustained high oil price boosted drilling activity on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) by one third in 2012, according to a new report by Deloitte, the business advisory firm. The report, compiled by Deloitte’s petroleum services group (PSG), which documents drilling and licensing activity across North West Europe for the whole of last year, shows 65 exploration and appraisal wells were drilled on the UKCS in 2012, marking a 33% increase on last year’s total of 49. This compares to lower drilling activity levels reported in Norway in 2012, down by 19% when compared to the previous year.

Offshore drilling activity on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) rose 64% during the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest industry figures released by Deloitte. The report, which documents drilling and licensing across North West Europe between April 1 and June 30, shows 18 exploration and appraisal wells were drilled on the UKCS during the period. This also represents a 64% increase on the first quarter of 2012. With deal activity – where oil and gas fields are bought and/or sold - in the UK also rising 47% this quarter, compared to Q2 last year, and an increase in field development approvals and start-ups, the outlook for the UK oil and gas industry is positive.