The 2026 Wells Insights Report highlights the performance metrics and trends of exploration, appraisal and development drilling across the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).
Overall development well activity fell by ~24% in 2025 compared with 2024 whilst expenditure remained stable at £1.6 billion. Operators drilled 38 development wellbores, including six mechanical sidetracks.
Exploration and appraisal activity declined in 2025. Operators drilled three appraisal wellbores and no exploration wellbores, compared with three appraisal and three exploration wellbores in 2024, excluding mechanical sidetracks. Two of the three appraisal wells drilled in 2025 were spudded in 2024.
Well intervention activity shifted towards more restoration work, though still at lower rates than in 2021-23, with less safeguarding and surveillance activity. This reflected both operators’ and NSTA’s focus on restoring production. Despite the lower activity count, efficiency improved and average costs fell from £9.6 per barrel of oil equivalent in 2024 to £7.6 per barrel of oil equivalent in 2025.
Overall, intervention declined slightly, from 425 interventions in 2024 to 398 in 2025, although the intervention rate remained consistent at 15%.
This interactive report shows the latest analysis using NSTA held data for all aspects of well drilling, operation, intervention and decommissioning. Data is sourced from the 2025 UKCS Stewardship Survey (UKSS), and the Well Operations Notification System (WONS) as of 31/12/2025.
Access the report by clicking here.