The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has approved 27 new North Sea licences in its first batch of the 33rd oil and gas licensing round.
The 27 have been chosen on the basis that they will be able to produce oil and gas more quickly than others.
NSTA chief executive Stuart Payne said: “Ensuring that the UK has broad options for energy security is at the heart of our work and these licences were awarded in the expectation that the licensees will get down to work immediately.
“The NSTA will work with the licensees to make sure that where production can be achieved it happens as quickly as possible,” Payne added.
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Energy security secretary Claire Coutinho added that the UK will “continue to need oil and gas over the coming decades as we deliver net zero.”
“It’s common sense to reduce our reliance on foreign imports and use our own supply – it’s better for our economy, the environment and our energy security,” Coutinho added.
Greenpeace has slammed the new North Sea oil and gas licences and plans to take legal action.
Greenpeace climate campaigner Philip Evans said the organisation “plans to fight these licences in the courtroom.”
“We’re mobilising voters to prioritise climate at the next election, because frankly we’re all sick of these backward facing policies,” Evans added.
