UK Oil & Gas today announced that the Avington Joint Operating Committee has now formally agreed to restart oil production at the field. Prior to its 2017 shut-in, the field had produced 0.276 million barrels of an estimated mid case of 59 million barrels of original oil in place ("OIP"), a recovery factor of only 0.47%. As the three closest similar producing fields to Avington exhibit oil recoveries of around 6-13% of the assessed OIP, potentially significant remaining recoverable oil resources lie within Avington for future exploitation.

Avington operations will recommence via a workover of Avington-3z, the field's best performing well, which came on stream in 2007 and accounts for around 81% of produced oil. Given the 5-year shut-in period, which potentially has permitted reservoir pressure around the well to build up, some element of "flush" production (i.e., higher than the flow rate prior to shut-in) is expected upon production restart.

The field was granted new planning consent in December 2021. UKOG holds a 5% non-operated interest in Avington and the surrounding licence.

KeyFacts Energy: UK Oil & Gas UK country profile