Tighten P&A Mobilisation Terms as North Sea Work Binds Capacity

Home Fossil Energy North Sea well interventions unlock multi-million-barrel boost as exploration drilling dries up August 11, 2026, by The UK’s offshore energy regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), has revealed that 56 North Sea wells returned to production last year, with more cost-efficient well interventions helping operators deliver 16 million barrels of oil (boe) from shut-in wells on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS)

The North Sea Transition Authority claims that the success of this campaign has been supported by a significant improvement in intervention efficiency, with the cost per barrel of oil equivalent added decreasing from £9

Based on the regulator’s data, a total of 398 well interventions were carried out during the year. With a focus on energy production, the NSTA has been working closely with licensees, first to identify which shut-in wells could potentially be reinstated, and then to support them in undertaking the necessary work

This campaign was managed directly by Afentra, utilizing a compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from a locally contracted vessel. The optimized approach completed the entire scope for a total cost of approximately $60,000, representing a material cost saving compared to conventional contracting market rates of between $500,000 and $1 million for a campaign of this nature

The company emphasizes that no hydrocarbon leakage or seepage was observed, and the campaign was completed with zero safety or environmental incidents

This campaign was managed directly by Afentra, utilizing a compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from a locally contracted vessel

S. -headquartered firm will provide its 7-3/8” large bore subsea test tree assembly (SSTTA) safety system to support the client’s P&A campaign across a portfolio of mature subsea wells, including six firm wells, with six more optional wells

Illustration; Source: Expro Expro has secured what it describes as a major multi-million-pound contract with an unknown UK operator, said to reinforce its position as a leading supplier of subsea safety systems in the UK North Sea plug and abandonment (P&A) market

headquartered energy services provider Expro has lined up a new deal for a well abandonment program in the North Sea with an undisclosed oil and gas operator on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). Illustration; Source: Expro Expro has secured what it describes as a major multi-million-pound contract with an unknown UK operator, said to reinforce its position as a leading supplier of subsea safety systems in the UK North Sea plug and abandonment (P&A) market