We hold offshore and onshore petroleum licensing rounds, inviting applications from companies and making awards to those bids that promise to ensure economic recovery of the UK’s oil and gas resources, whilst supporting the drive to net zero carbon by 2050.

We also offer acreage offshore for carbon dioxide appraisal and storage licensing in support the Government’s targets to store 20-30MTPA of CO2 by 2030 as part of the decarbonisation of UK industrial emissions, and to support the UK’s journey to net zero emissions by 2050.

33rd Offshore Licensing Round

The 33rd UK Offshore Licensing Round officially opened on 7th October 2022 and closed for applications for licences on 12 January 2023. 

The Licensing Round was formulated in compliance with the Climate Compatibility Checkpoint (CCC) which was published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (now the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero).

It was also written in light of the OGA Strategy which ‘requires industry to operate in a way consistent with net zero ambitions, lowering production emissions and making serious progress on the solutions that can contribute to the UK achieving net zero.’

On 13 October 2022 we announced that further Blocks were made available for offer. On the 30th October 2023  the NSTA announced the offer of 27 new licences and the merge of 6 blocks into 5 existing licences, in the first set of awards for the 33rd Round. On 31 January 2024 the NSTA announced the Tranche 2 awards for the 33rd Round, comprising of 24 new licences made up of 74 blocks/part block in the West of Shetlands, Northern North Sea and Central North Sea. On 3 May 2024 the NSTA announced the Tranche 3 awards for the 33rd Round, comprising of 31 new licences made up of 88 blocks/part blocks in the Central North Sea, East Irish Sea and the Southern North Sea.

On 24 May 2024 we offered a licence to Total Energies.

Licensing Round Information

33rd Offshore Licensing Round

The 33rd UK Offshore Licensing Round officially opened on 7th October 2022 and closed for applications for licences on 12 January 2023. 

To encourage production as quickly as possible, the NSTA identified four priority cluster areas in the Southern North Sea, which have known hydrocarbons, are close to infrastructure and have the potential to be developed quickly - and will seek to license these ahead of others. Applicants were encouraged to bid for these areas so they can go into production as soon as possible. 

The Licensing Round was formulated in compliance with the Climate Compatibility Checkpoint (CCC) which was published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

It was also written in light of the OGA Strategy which ‘requires industry to operate in a way consistent with net zero ambitions, lowering production emissions and making serious progress on the solutions that can contribute to the UK achieving net zero.’

On 13 October 2022 we announced that further Blocks were made available for offer. On the 30th October 2023 the NSTA announced the offer of 27 new licences and the merge of 6 blocks into 5 existing licences, in the first set of awards for the 33rd Round. On 31 January 2024 the NSTA announced the Tranche 2 awards for the 33rd Round, comprising of 24 new licences made up of 74 blocks/part block in the West of Shetlands, Northern North Sea and Central North Sea. On 3 May 2024 the NSTA announced the Tranche 3 awards for the 33rd Round, comprising of 31 new licences made up of 88 blocks/part blocks in the Central North Sea, East Irish Sea and the Southern North Sea

Licensing Round Information

The 33rd Offshore Licensing Round

Tranche 3 Offer of Awards
Tranche 3 Offer of Awards – Offer of Awards Maps
Tranche 3 Offer of Awards - Offer of Award Tables
Tranche 2 Offer of Awards
Tranche 2 Offer of Awards – Offer of Awards Maps
Tranche 2 Offer of Awards - Offer of Award Tables
Tranche 1 Offer of Awards
Tranche 1 Offer of Awards – Offer of Awards Maps
Tranche 1 Offer of Awards - Offer of Award Tables
General information - pre-award stage
How to Apply
Maps and Data
Environmental information
Other useful information

On 11th July 2019, the 32nd UK Offshore Licensing Round officially opened and we invited applications for licences.  Applications were accepted up to 14.00 on the 12th November 2019  through the LARRY system on the Energy Portal. 

On 3 September 2020, we offered for award 113 licence areas over 260 blocks or part-blocks to 65 companies in the 32nd Offshore Licensing Round.

The round offered blocks in mature, producing areas close to existing infrastructure, under the flexible terms of the Innovate Licence. This enables applicants to define a licence duration and phasing that will allow them to execute the optimal work programme. The majority of the licences will enter the Initial Term (Phase A or Phase B exploration stage), and 16 of the awards are for licences that will proceed straight to Second Term, either for potential developments, or re-developments of fields where production had ceased and the acreage had been relinquished.

Licensing Round Information

Offer of Awards Maps

Offer of Award Tables

General information - pre-award stage

How to apply

Maps and data

Environmental Information

Other useful information

Cross-Border Opportunities

Applicants may be interested in offshore licensing rounds in jurisdictions that border the UKCS, which may offer opportunities for cross-border developments.

Contact us

General application enquiries

Email: Licensing_Round@nstauthority.co.uk

LARRY Queries - Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@nstauthority.co.uk

On the 1st August 2019, we launched a restricted Out of Round offer for two blocks 3/24c & 3/29c, around the Northern North Sea Rhum Field.

Applications were be made via the LARRY system on the Energy Portal and followed the normal Licensing Round Application process. Please see attached Guidelines (below).

The offer was open for 90 days and closed at 2:00pm on 30th October 2019. 

We offered for award 4 licences to 3 companies in the 2019 31st Supplementary Offshore Licensing Round, which closed for applications in May 2019.

Eleven blocks were originally on offer in this Supplementary Round which was focussed in the Greater Buchan Area of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

This was the first time we linked a licence round offer with an Area Plan and the application process included the requirement for applicants to demonstrate their wider area plan development concepts and to seek to collaborate with other area licensees and applicants.

The round offered blocks under flexible terms, enabling applicants to define a licence duration and phasing that will allow them to execute the optimal MER UK work programme.

In all, 4 applications covering 5 blocks were received and we are now ready to make offers of award in respect of 4 licences covering the 5 blocks.

Two of the awards are for work programmes that will proceed straight to Second Term, either for potential developments, or re-developments of fields where production had ceased and the acreage had been relinquished. The remainder of the licences will enter the Initial Term (exploration stage).

Scott Robertson, CNS Area manager, said: “From bringing together interested parties at an early stage to releasing extensive digital data in advance of the licence round, we sought to facilitate a common understanding and industry collaboration. The resulting commendable level of engagement between operators and high quality applications enabled us to make awards confident that the right assets are going to be in the right hands to deliver the optimal MER development of the Greater Buchan area. We look forward to working with the awardees as they deliver on their work programs and commitments and to exploit the opportunities to re-purpose and sustain existing infrastructure.”

We fully support the transition to a low carbon economy. Government forecasts show that oil and gas will remain an important part of our energy mix for the foreseeable future, and maximising economic recovery from the UKCS is therefore vital to meet our energy demands and reduce reliance on imports.

Licensing Round Information

31st Supplementary Licensing Round information

Offer of Awards

Historical Application stage information

How to Apply

General Information

Maps

Environmental Information

Other useful information

Contact us

Alistair Macfarlane

Business Development Manager - Central North Sea

Tel: 0300 020 1092 

Email: alistair.macfarlane@nstauthority.co.uk

LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk

Tel: 0300 067 1682

Email: ukop@nstauthority.co.uk

On 10th July 2018, we invited applications for licences in the 31st Offshore Licensing Round. Applications were accepted up to 14.00 on the 7th November 2018 through the LARRY system on the Energy Portal. 

The Round attracted 36 applications covering 164 blocks in frontier areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).  For full details on the applications received please see the related Press Release.

On 4 June 2019, we offered for award 37 licence areas over 141 blocks or part-blocks to 30 companies in the 31st Offshore Licensing Round.

These successful awards act as a strong platform for future exploration and production in frontier areas of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) in the Faroe-Shetland Basin, Moray Firth, East Irish Sea, East Shetland Platform, Mid North Sea High and English Channel.

A number of proposed new work programmes have been secured in this round, including new shoot seismic acquisition, with two licences progressing straight to field development planning (second term licences).

Overall, the awards have been offered to a broad spectrum of companies; with super-majors expanding their footprint and new entrant companies investing for the first time.

Licensing Round Information

31st Offshore Licensing Round information and resources

General information

Offer of awards maps

Offer of awards tables

Other information

How to apply

Maps

Environmental Information

Other useful information

Cross-Border Opportunities

Applicants may be interested in offshore licensing rounds in jurisdictions that border the UKCS, which may offer opportunities for cross-border developments.

Guidance on cross-border developments

Contact us

Licensing_Round@nstauthority.co.uk

LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@nstauthority.co.uk

On 25 July 2017, we invited applications for licences in the 30th Offshore Licensing Round.  The round closed for applications on 21 November 2017. On 23 May 2018 we announced the offer of awards in the 30th Offshore Licensing Round.

Licensing Round Information

30th Offshore Licensing Round information and resources

General Information

Awards

Maps

How to Apply

Environmental Information

Other useful information

Cross-border opportunities

Applicants may be interested in offshore licensing rounds in jurisdictions that border the UKCS, which may offer opportunities for cross-border developments.

Guidance on cross-border developments

Data Room

Undeveloped Discoveries

Technology Forum - 22 August 2017

Contact us:

Jen Brzozowska Tel: 0300 067 1603 Email: jen.brzozowska@nstauthority.co.uk

Ricki Kiff Tel: 0300 067 1637 Email: ricki.kiff@nstauthority.co.uk

LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk Tel: 0300 067 1682 Email: ukop@nstauthority.co.uk

On 27 July 2016, we invited applications for licences in the 29th Offshore Licensing Round. The Round closed on 26 October 2016. On

Licensing Round Information

29th Offshore Licensing Round information and resources

Awards
Maps
How to apply
Environmental Information

 

Other useful information

Contact us

Jen Brzozowska
Tel: 0300 067 1603
Email: jen.brzozowska@nstauthority.co.uk

Ricki Kiff
Tel: 0300 067 1637
Email: ricki.kiff@nstauthority.co.uk

LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@nstauthority.co.uk

On 6 December 2016, we invited applications for licences in the Offshore 2016 Supplementary Round.  

Licensing Round Information

2016 Offshore Supplementary Round information and resources

General information
Awards
Maps
How to apply
Environmental Information
Other useful information
Contact us

Jen Brzozowska
Tel: 0300 067 1603
Email: jen.brzozowska@nstauthority.co.uk

Ricki Kiff
Tel: 0300 067 1637
Email: ricki.kiff@nstauthority.co.uk

LARRY Queries – Portal Helpdesk
Tel: 0300 067 1682
Email: ukop@nstauthority.co.uk

On 6 November 2014, we invited applications for licences in the 28th Offshore Licensing Round.

Licensing Round Information

28th Offshore Licensing Round information and resources

General information
Awards: Second tranche
Awards: First tranche
Maps
Environmental information
Contact us

Jen Brzozowska
Tel: 0300 068 6030
Email: jen.brzozowska@nstauthority.co.uk

Ricki Kiff
Tel: 0300 068 6042
Email: ricki.kiff@nstauthority.co.uk

English Channel Carbon Storage Applications

On 30th April 2024, the NSTA opened a competitive process inviting applications for Carbon Dioxide Appraisal and Storage Licences in an area in the English Channel. These licences grant exclusive rights for the exploration and appraisal of potential storage sites for carbon dioxide in the subsurface. Applicants had to note their interest in submitting an application within the first two weeks of the process, and had to submit applications by Wednesday 5th June 2024.

The NSTA will subsequently undertake technical evaluations of applications received, and OPRED will make an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Regulations. Full information on the process can be found below.

Licensing round information

General Information 

How to Apply 

Other Useful Information 

Contact Us: 

General application queries should be sent to Offshore.Exploration@nstauthority.co.uk 

 

 

The window for the NSTA to receive nominations for carbon dioxide appraisal and storage licence areas closed on Friday 13th May 2022. Following consideration of nominations received, on 14th June 2022 the NSTA launched a carbon storage licensing round, inviting applications for a number of areas across the UKCS including the Northern North Sea, Central North Sea, East Irish Sea and Southern North Sea. Applications for the carbon storage licensing round closed at 13:00 BST on 13th September 2022. On 18 May 2023 the NSTA offered for award 21 carbon storage licences at offshore sites. Information on the round can be found below.

Award of Licences

Update on number of applications received

General Information – pre-award stage 

How to Apply 

 Maps and Data 

Q&A 

The NSTA provided updated Q&A here throughout the licence application process. Last Update 9 September 2022.

Other Useful Information 

Contact Us: 

General application queries should be sent to Offshore.Exploration@nstauthority.co.uk 

14th Onshore Licensing Round

On 17 December 2015, we announced that licences for a total of 159 blocks were formally offered to successful applicants under the 14th Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round.

The 14th Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round was launched on 28 July 2014 and closed on 28 October 2014. A total of 95 applications were received from 47 companies covering 295 Ordnance Survey Blocks. Following scrutiny of the applicants’ competency, financial viability, environmental awareness and geotechnical analysis, and following the decision not to award licences in Scotland and Wales, 159 blocks were taken forward for further consideration.

In August 2015, the OGA announced its intention to offer licences covering 27 blocks. These blocks did not require further environmental assessment under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (the Habitats Regulations). At this time, the OGA launched a consultation relating to a further 132 blocks that were subjected to further detailed assessment in accordance with the Habitats Regulations, and a public consultation on that assessment was carried out. Following the conclusion of the consultation process, the OGA is now satisfied that the approval of the 14th Licensing Round, and the award of each of the licences under the Round, will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of any protected European site. As a result, the OGA is offering licences for a total of 159 blocks. For 75 of these blocks, the licence will contain a condition that prohibits all or specific activities in parts of the block.

General information

Successful applicants

Maps

Guidance and technical information

Environmental issues

Contacts

oilandgaslicensing@ogauthority.co.uk

View past Licencing Rounds here