Press releases

North Sea firms “biding time” during period of transition

Deals decrease as operators wait for clarity over the future of the UKCS

10 October 2014

Oil and gas operators may be sitting on new investment decisions until the future of the North Sea becomes clearer, according to the latest report from business advisory firm Deloitte.

The report, which details drilling, licensing and deal activity across North West Europe over the third quarter of 2014 and was compiled by Deloitte’s Petroleum Services Group (PSG), found that four deals were announced offshore UK. This is slightly down on the five transactions reported in Q2 2014 and substantially lower than the 14 registered during Q3 2013.

Derek Henderson, senior partner in Deloitte’s Aberdeen office, said the drop in deals may be down to North Sea operators continuing to wait for further clarity about the future of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

In particular, firms are waiting for more detail about the implementation of the Wood Review, including formation of the Oil & Gas Authority, and changes to the North Sea’s fiscal regime. These measures are due to be detailed in Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement on 3 December.

Henderson said: “The industry continues to wait and see how the future of the North Sea will take shape. This is a particularly interesting year for the UKCS as it goes through a period of transition. There remains much change on the horizon and, as a result, many companies will be biding their time.

“All eyes will be on the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, where industry will be looking for measures which support the challenges of operating in this mature basin. Having spoken to a range of investors in the North Sea*, we know that a fiscal regime which is more predictable, with a lower tax burden is key for improving investor confidence.  Incentives which will encourage exploration and appraisal activity, as well as new entrants to the region, are also a vital part of the equation.

“Ultimately, the UKCS needs to be internationally competitive if it is to attract the investment it requires to boost its future prospects. We’ve made all of these views clear in our submission to the fiscal consultation. This is the most important Autumn Statement for some time now, as it could be the last chance to get the fiscal regime right.”

Meanwhile, the report also found 11 exploration and appraisal wells were drilled during Q3, up on the seven reported in the previous three months. This is consistent with the 11 announced during the same period last year.

However, price pressure and access to finance have remained issues on the UKCS. A large number of North Sea assets are on the market from some of the larger operators. Smaller companies, in some cases with limited budgets, tend to be the most likely buyers, creating a price differential in the market and potentially stalling deal activity.

Graham Sadler, managing director of Deloitte’s PSG, said that although the number of new wells drilled was higher this quarter compared with the previous three months, the figures have been at a steady low for some time.

He said: “While it’s encouraging to see an increase in the number of new wells drilled this quarter, we are starting from a low base. Until we see the incentives required to encourage further exploration and appraisal activity, drilling could remain muted in the short to medium term.

“During this period of transition, costs have remained high for North Sea firms, access to finance has remained difficult and the price of oil has dropped to as low as US$95 this quarter. This combination of factors continues to make the economics of extraction more difficult for operators.”  

The report also found that one field had been approved on the UKCS in Q3 2014, down on the five reported the previous quarter. However, this was consistent with the same period last year when just one field received development approval.

End

Notes to editor

* Deloitte will release its report “Making the most of the UKCS: The oil and gas fiscal framework: Is it fit for purpose?” later this month. The report draws insight from interviews conducted with companies from across the oil & gas industry about their views on the North Sea’s current fiscal regime.

Deloitte’s Petroleum Services Group
Deloitte’s Petroleum Services Group (PSG) produce the Drilling and Licensing Review quarterly; this provides detailed information on proposed new and completed wells and an overview on all licensing and deal activity in North West Europe. This review is collated from information produced by PSG's Weekly Service, a report distributed to subscribers each Wednesday.  The analysis contained within the latest review (Q3 2014) is a summary of activity between 1 July and 30 September 2014.

For more information about the group visit www.deloitte.com/petroleumservices.

To purchase the full report, please visit the Deloitte Store, www.psg.deloitte.com/store.

About Deloitte
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte LLP, which is among the country's leading professional services firms.

Deloitte LLP is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), a UK private company limited by guarantee, whose member firms are legally separate and independent entities. Please see www.deloitte.co.uk/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

Did you find this useful?