Shell and Equinor are to combine their UK offshore oil and gas assets to form a new company which will be the UK North Sea’s biggest independent producer.

The new company will invest to provide a long-term sustainable future for individual oil and gas fields and platforms, helping extend the life of the maturing fields. Based in Aberdeen, the joint venture will include Equinor’s equity interests in Mariner, Rosebank and Buzzard; and Shell’s equity interests in Shearwater, Penguins, Gannet, Nelson, Pierce, Jackdaw, Victory, Clair and Schiehallion. A range of exploration licences will also be part of the transaction.

Equinor’s executive VP for exploration and production international, Philippe Mathieu, said: “Equinor has been a reliable energy partner to the UK for over 40 years, providing oil and gas, developing the offshore wind industry, and advancing decarbonisation. This transaction strengthens Equinor’s near-term cash flow, and by combining Equinor’s and Shell’s long-standing expertise and competitive assets, this new entity will play a crucial role in securing the UK’s energy supply.”

In the UK, Equinor currently produces approx. 38,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day; Shell UK produces over 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The new company is expected to produce over 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025.

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