Wood Mackenzie comments on ExxonMobil's prospective sale of UK North Sea portfolio

“Combined with its Norwegian assets, which ExxonMobil recently announced its intention to market, could see the supermajor reach one-third of the way to meeting its US$15 billion divestment target.”

He added: “In a recent report, we highlighted the UK and Norway amongst nearly US$50 billion worth of assets we think the company could divest. An active phase of portfolio high-grading will complement and strengthen its aggressive investment-led strategy, centred around its flagship projects in Guyana, US tight oil and liquefied natural gas.

“Nevertheless, the UK business is attractive. It is highly cash generative, with operating costs around half of the UK average. Most of the value lies in three main hubs: Penguins, Shearwater and Gannet. Focus for any new buyer will be on increasing recovery and pushing out abandonment costs.

“But given the portfolio is operated through a 50-50 joint venture with Shell, investment plans will need to be aligned with the Anglo-Dutch Major, which is juggling opportunities in its own global portfolio.”

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