Austrian oil and gas group OMV is expanding its offshore activities in the UK following the award to OMV (UK) of four exploration licenses by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The license awards cover five blocks 204/14b, 205/2, 212/30, 213/16 and 213/17 and are located in the Atlantic Ocean to the West of the Shetland Islands.

Block 204/14b is close to existing OMV interests including Block 204/13, the Suilven discovery, and the producing Schiehallion field. The work program for the four year license period involves acquisition of 2D seismic data and re-processing of existing 3D seismic data.

The four other awarded Blocks, 205/2, 212/30, 213/16 and 213/17, are close to OMV’s interests in the Rosebank/Lochnagar discovery.

Helmut Langanger, OMV executive board member responsible for Exploration and Production said, We are delighted to be awarded these licenses which support our strategy of portfolio expansion and growth in the UK. The West of Shetland is a key area for us and these awards fit well with our existing licenses and will help us to build on our successes in the area.