The UK Government has today announced the opening of the eagerly anticipated 14^th onshore oil and gas licensing round, with applications invited until 2pm on 28 October 2014.

Hundreds of blocks are available in the bidding process. The Government is keen to encourage onshore exploration and drilling and to facilitate the development of a shale industry in the UK.

The previous onshore licensing round was in 2008.

For more information, refer to the Government guidance at: https://www.gov.uk/oil-and-gas-licensing-rounds.