According to new research by leading data and analytics company, GlobalData 23 oil and gas discoveries were made globally in the first quarter of 2019. Of these, 11 each were conventional oil and conventional gas discoveries.

Onshore accounted for the most with seven discoveries, followed by deep-water terrain with six discoveries. Shallow water and ultra-deep-water accounted for five discoveries each.

Among the countries, Norway had the highest number of oil and gas discoveries globally in the first quarter of 2019, with a total of five discoveries. Three were conventional oil discoveries and the remaining two were conventional gas discoveries. Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData, Ashwin Gupta said all the discoveries in Norway were offshore discoveries.

“Two conventional gas discoveries and a conventional oil discovery were made in the Norwegian Sea Basin while the remaining two conventional oil discoveries were made in the North Sea Basin,” Mr Gupta said.

The US had the second highest number of discoveries (three) in the quarter, while Russia, Egypt, Guyana and the UK had two discoveries each in the quarter.

Australia, Indonesia, Angola and Bolivia had one discovery each during the period. Orchid-1 was Australia’s only discovery. The conventional gas discovery was made by Thai oil and gas company, PTTEP, in Permit AC/P54 which is in the Timor Sea, offshore of Australia.

Among operators, Statoil ASA and Exxon Mobil Corp led with three discoveries each in the first quarter of 2019. Eni SpA and Total SA followed with two discoveries each.

GlobalData’s full report can be found here.

Count of oil and gas discoveries by key countries, Q1 2019. Image source: GlobalData.