Serica Energy secures rig for 30kbpd UK drilling programme
By Benjamin Chiou
Date: Monday 02 Nov 2026
(Sharecast News) - Serica Energy announced on Monday that it has signed a contract for a drilling rig to support a multi-well programme in the UK North Sea, targeting up to 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) of incremental production.
The oil and gas producer said it had secured the Beacon Pacific, a sixth-generation semi-submersible rig operated by Odfjell Drilling, for a campaign covering an initial six wells, with options for additional drilling.
The programme is intended to support Serica's ambition of sustaining portfolio production of 50,000 boepd into the next decade.
Drilling is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027 at the Bruce field, marking the first wells drilled there since 2012. Serica is targeting more than 10,000 boepd of additional production from Bruce, with first output potentially coming approximately 12 months after drilling begins.
Other opportunities include the Kyla redevelopment, with potential production exceeding 5,000 boepd, and the Edradour Royal Sovereign Spinnaker development, also targeting more than 5,000 boepd. The Tormore prospect could contribute a further 4,000 boepd.
The rig can operate in water depths of up to 620 metres and could also be used for plugging and abandonment activities.
Chief executive Chris Cox said: "Securing the rig is an important milestone in delivering our organic growth programme. Our first campaign will be at Bruce - the field's first drilling programme in almost 15 years - where we are targeting high-return infill wells with the potential for rapid payback."
He added that the rig would provide flexibility to pursue opportunities at Kyla and in the Greater Laggan Area, subject to partner and regulatory approvals.
The stock was 1.2% lower at 256.4p by 0943 GMT, as Brent crude oil futures sank 4.5% to $108.31 a barrel.
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