Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), in collaboration with the 21CXRM Technical Advisory Committee, has awarded two contracts for petroleum system related studies for the East Shetland Platform and South West Approaches area.

The award is a part of the 21st Century Exploration Road Map initiative (21CXRM).

The contracts have been awarded to Getech and BGS for South West Approaches and Frogtech and IGI Limited for the East Shetland Platform.

Both projects are expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2017.

The provision of the studies has been supported by the MER UK Exploration Task Force and will complement the acquisition and reprocessing of seismic data in this area which has formed part of the 2016 UK Government Seismic Programme.

Nick Richardson, OGA head of Exploration and New Ventures, said: “These projects represent the initial phases of more extensive regional mapping projects to drive exploration across the UK Continental Shelf.

“The results of these projects from Getech, BGS, Frogtech and IGI Limited will enhance industry knowledge, awareness and understanding of both the South West Approaches and East Shetland Platform ahead of the 31st Frontier Licencing Round.”