Latest News

Chevron gets ready for North Sea exit after more than 55 years

Chevron said it is set to release the sale of its remaining UK North Sea oil and gas properties, in a relocation that would mark the U.S. energy giant's exit from the ageing basin after more than 55 years.

The prepared divestment, verified to on Thursday, comes as Chevron prepares for the $53 billion acquisition of competing Hess which it previously said will include $10 billion to $ 15 billion in asset sales all over the world.

The exit will be the latest action in a consistent retreat of top oil and gas companies from the declining British basin which originated deepwater production in the 1970s, as they concentrate on newer assets around the world.

Chevron's properties consist of a 19.4% stake in the BP-operated Clair oilfield in the West of Shetland region, the biggest in the British North Sea with production of 120,000 barrels per day.

BP has stated it is thinking about a 3rd development phase for the field, known as Clair South, which is among the biggest staying untapped fields in the North Sea.

UK oil and gas production has dropped from a peak of around 4.5 million barrels of oil equivalent each day (boed) in the late 1990s to around 1.2 million boed in 2023.

Chevron is likewise seeking to offer its marginal interests in the Sullom Voe oil terminal, as well as the Ninian pipeline SIRGE pipeline systems which are both linked to Sullom Voe, it stated in a declaration.

The sale might raise approximately $1 billion excluding tax advantages, one market source said. The process is expected to be formally released in June, market sources told .

The exit follows a review of Chevron's global portfolio as CEO Mike Wirth looks for to concentrate on the firm's most rewarding properties, Chevron said.

In 2019, Chevron's offered many of its North Sea assets to Ithaca Energy. Other significant oil business, including Exxon Mobil and Shell, have actually offered properties in the basin because the 2010s.

Chevron has stated it would offer between $15 billion to $20. billion in assets as part of its planned acquisition of Hess,. which has hit a stumbling block due to a legal dispute with. rival Exxon over assets in Guyana.

Chevron stated the North Sea sale procedure is not connected to a. 35% windfall tax the British federal government troubled North Sea. producers following the rise in energy costs in 2022.

As part of Chevron's concentrate on keeping capital. discipline in both standard and new energies, we regularly. review our global portfolio to assess whether possessions are. tactical and competitive for future capital, it said.

The process is anticipated to take months, it added.

(source: Reuters)