RE: http://www.heraldscotland.com/busin10 May 2018 22:51
Meanwhile the chief executive of a North Sea-focused independent, Cluff Natural Resources, has said the area has become an increasingly attractive place in which to invest.
Graham Swindells said: �With a sustained recovery in oil and gas prices coupled with a significant reduction in exploration costs, we believe now is a perfect time to be investing in drilling in the North Sea.�
His comments highlight the impact of the increase in the crude price since late 2016, following moves by major exporters to support the market.
The prices of services such as drilling support fell sharply amid the downturn triggered by the plunge in the crude price between 2014 and 2016.
Mr Swindells added: �While there is always more that could be done to support investment in exploration, in the UK we are fortunate to have flexible and effective regulators in the Oil & Gas Authority and a favourable (top quartile globally) fiscal regime which makes the UK North Sea an attractive place in which to invest.�
His comments were included in the latest annual results announcement by Cluff Natural Resources.
Chaired by oil and gas pioneer Algy Cluff, the company has focused on the North Sea after shelving plans to produce gas from coal that lies beneath the Forth.
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Mr Swindells said the company had made good progress in 2017 towards getting exploration prospects in the Southern North Sea ready for drilling.
The process of getting other firms to buy into its acreage has taken longer than expected.
�The farm in market has, with one or two exceptions, remained subdued throughout 2017 with exploration budgets amongst major operators still limited,� said Mr Swindells.He welcomed signs of renewed interest in the North Sea market.
Cluff Natural Resources is in dialogue with a number of parties and hopes to drill one or more wells in 2019.
It made a substantial application for additional licences in the UK�s latest (30th) offshore licensing round.
Aim-listed Cluff Natural Resources cut losses to �1,590,203 last year, from �1,730.606 in 2016.
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