The North Sea is one of the most prolific hydrocarbon provinces in the world. Total production to date from the UK Continental Shelf is over 45 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
The UK North Sea is generally divided into three main areas, the Northern North Sea, Central North Sea and Southern North Sea. Finder currently holds 5 seaward production licences, 4 in the Central North Sea (P2524, P2527, P2528 and P2530) and one in the Northern North Sea (P2502).

Location and Status
Basin: East Shetland Basin, Northern North Sea
Area: 424 km2
Water Depth:~150 metres
Status: Seaward Production “Innovate” Licence – Phase A
Interests
Finder Energy (50%, Permit Administrator)
Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited (50%)
Highlights: Located in the western part of the East Shetland Basin, with a proven play and petroleum system as demonstrated by the nearby Cladhan, Magnus and Penguin Fields. Significant hydrocarbon potential within the under-explored Upper Jurassic syn-rift play. Re-evaluation of SW Heather discovery and tie-back development potential. Prospect rich licence spanning three sub-basins and covered by 3D seismic data. Finder farmed out 50% to Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited, operator of the nearby Western Isles infrastructure. |
Location and Status
Basin: South Viking Graben, Central North Sea
Area: 171 km2
Water Depth: ~125 metres
Status: Seaward Production “Innovate” Licence – Phase A
Interests
Finder Energy (40%, Permit Administrator)
Chrysaor Limited, now Harbour Energy (60%)
Highlights: Ideally located in the prolific South Viking Graben, adjacent to producing fields. Latest PSDM Geostreamer 3D data acquisition high grades the Barracuda Prospect. Proven play and petroleum system – down-dip from full-to-spill hydrocarbons discoveries to the south-west. Direct access to mature source kitchens. Numerous tie-back opportunities with surrounding infrastructure hosts, including joint venture partner, Harbour Energy, operator of the Britannia and Armada infrastructure hubs. |
Location and Status
Basin: West Central Graben, Central North Sea
Area: 576 km2
Water Depth: ~85 – 110 metres
Status: Seaward Production “Innovate” Licence – Phase A
Interests
Finder Energy (60%, Permit Administrator)
Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited (40%)
Highlights: Finder is currently reprocessing 3D seismic data to derisk the significant Fulmar Formation prospectivity and unlock the Lower Cretaceous play within the licence. Multiple host tie-back options as well as stand-alone development potential. |
Location and Status
Basin: South Halibut Basin – Peterhead Graben
Area: 454 km2
Water Depth: ~110 metres
Status: Seaward Production “Innovate” Licence – Phase A
Interests
Finder Energy (60%, Permit Administrator)
Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited (40%)
Highlights: The Whitsun Prospect is a large Upper Jurassic stratigraphic trap on trend with the giant Buzzard Field. Finder is currently reprocessing 3D seismic data covering Peterhead Graben and Buzzard fairway. Potential to tie back discoveries to the Buzzard facilities. |
Location and Status
Basin: Ettrick Basin, Outer Moray Firth
Area: 110 km2
Water Depth: ~100 metres
Status: Seaward Production “Innovate” Licence – Phase A
Interests
Finder Energy (60%, Permit Administrator)
Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited (40%)
Highlights: Surrounded to the west by the giant Buzzard oil field and the east by the Ettrick and Blackbird oil fields, a number of Upper Jurassic prospects have been identified. Finder is currently reprocessing 3D seismic data covering the licence and is looking to advance our understanding of the prospects. Potential to tie back discoveries to the Buzzard facilities. |