On Wednesday, 27th January 2010, the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change (DECC) invited applications for Licences
in the 26th Seaward Licensing Round.
For the first time since 1998, this round offers blocks in all
areas of the UKCS for new licensing, some of which were
relinquished under the Government and industry's 'Fallow
Initiative'. Some of the blocks in the 26th Round have never
been explored until now. In addition to this "virgin
territory" the majority of the areas licensed in the 1st Round
in 1964 that have not been allowed extensions have been
relinquished and are included for offer in the 26th Round. The
Areas include: West of Shetland; Northern North Sea; Central North
Sea; Southern North Sea; Morecambe Bay and Irish Sea; West of the
Hebrides; South West Approaches and the English Channel. Some
blocks, however, have been excluded. These include blocks west of
the island of Rockall, northwest of Scotland and various blocks
offered in the 24th
