Hartshead Resources explores a new route for its North Sea gas fields

The Australian company Hartshead Resources plans to revise its development plan for the Anning and Somerville gas fields, with an alternative export route now available under new UK fiscal terms.

Partagez:

Hartshead Resources, an Australian energy sector player, announced on November 27 that it is considering an alternative route for transporting gas from its Anning and Somerville field development project in the North Sea. This decision follows fiscal clarifications provided by the UK government in its October budget.

Hartshead CEO Chris Lewis emphasized the importance of these new fiscal conditions in accelerating the project. “The UK government’s recent budget announcement has provided the clarity our industry has been waiting for since February,” he stated. This now allows the company to pursue a project described as robust and high-value in this new context.

New Development Plan

The initial project plan includes drilling six production wells spread across two platforms at Anning and Somerville. These facilities will be connected via subsea pipelines to transport the gas to the network. At full capacity, the project could produce up to 4 million cubic meters per day, significantly contributing to the UK’s energy supply.

However, recent changes in asset management have opened up a previously inaccessible possibility for gas transportation. Hartshead is currently evaluating this option to determine whether it presents advantages over the initially planned solution. According to the company, this reassessment is part of a comprehensive review of the fields’ development plan.

Gas Price Support

Moreover, high gas prices observed in the UK over recent months enhance the project’s economic attractiveness. The company noted that forecasts for strong winter demand supported the financial viability of ongoing developments. Market data confirms a consistent price increase, with a rate of 117.39 pence per therm on November 26, representing a 24% rise since early October.

Resources and Prospects

In addition to these developments, Hartshead’s net offshore resources have grown to 1.5 trillion cubic feet thanks to new blocks acquired during the UK’s 33rd licensing round. These assets include fields that have been explored but remain undeveloped, as well as prospective resources.

The company plans to submit a revised development plan to the relevant authorities in December, a key step before moving to the execution phase. Hartshead had previously reached an agreement with Shell in 2022 for the treatment and transport of gas via the Leman Alpha platform and the Bacton terminal, a solution that remains under consideration alongside the new route.

The increase in oil drilling, deepwater exploration, and chemical advances are expected to raise the global drilling fluids market to $10.7bn by 2032, according to Meticulous Research.
Enbridge Gas Ohio is assessing its legal options following the Ohio regulator's decision to cut its revenues, citing potential threats to investment and future customer costs.
The small-scale liquefied natural gas market is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 7.5%, reaching an estimated total value of $31.78bn by 2030, driven particularly by maritime and heavy-duty road transport sectors.
The European Union extends gas storage regulations by two years, requiring member states to maintain a minimum fill rate of 90% to ensure energy security and economic stability amid market uncertainties.
Woodside finalises the divestment of a 40% stake in the Louisiana LNG project to Stonepeak, injecting $5.7 billion to accelerate developments and optimise financial returns ahead of first gas delivery scheduled in 2026.
Keranic Industrial Gas seals a sixty-day exclusivity deal to buy Royal Helium’s key assets, raise CAD9.5mn ($7.0mn) and bring Alberta’s Steveville plant back online in under fifteen weeks.
The Irish-Portuguese company Fusion Fuel strengthens its footprint in the United Arab Emirates as subsidiary Al Shola Gas adds AED4.4 mn ($1.2 mn) in new engineering contracts, consolidating an already robust 2025 order book.
Cheniere Energy validates major investment to expand Corpus Christi terminal, adding two liquefaction units to increase its liquefied natural gas export capacity by 2029, responding to recent international agreements.
A study by the International Energy Agency reveals that global emissions from liquefied natural gas could be significantly reduced using current technologies.
Europe is injecting natural gas into underground storage facilities at a three-year high, even as reserves remain below historical averages, prompting maximized imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
South Korea abandons plans to lower electricity rates this summer, fearing disruptions in liquefied natural gas supply due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, despite recent declines in fuel import costs.
Russia positions itself to supply liquefied natural gas to Mexico and considers expanded technological sharing in the energy sector, according to Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov.
Israel has partially resumed its natural gas exports to Egypt and Jordan following a week-long halt due to the closure of two major offshore gas fields, Leviathan and Karish.
Nepal reveals a significant potential reserve of methane in the west of the country, following exploratory drilling conducted with technical support from China, opening new economic prospects.
Petronas formalizes a memorandum with JOGMEC to secure Japanese LNG deliveries, including a first cargo from LNG Canada scheduled for July at Toho Gas.
Belgrade is currently finalising a new gas contract with Russia, promising Europe's lowest tariff, according to Srbijagas General Director Dusan Bajatovic, despite Europe's aim to eliminate Russian imports by 2027.
TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy have won the Ahara exploration licence, marking a new stage in their partnership with SONATRACH on a vast area located between Berkine and Illizi.
After four years of interruption due to regional insecurity, TotalEnergies announces the upcoming resumption of its liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, representing a $20bn investment.
The French group has acquired from PETRONAS stakes in several licences covering more than 100,000 km² off Malaysia and Indonesia, consolidating its Asian presence and its exposure to the liquefied natural gas market.
In response to rising summer electricity consumption, Egypt signs import agreements covering 290 shipments of liquefied natural gas, involving major international firms, with financial terms adjusted to the country’s economic constraints.