The United Kingdom Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) announced 41 new licenses Monday to explore the U.K. Continental Shelf in the North Sea. An additional 134 licenses were awarded in November 2014. The total of 175 licenses makes the round of applications among the largest since the licensing process began in 1964. “The U.K. Continental Shelf remains a world-class hydrocarbon province where significant resources and economic value remain to be realized. The good level of interest in the 28th round highlights the continued attractiveness of the U.K.’s oil and gas resources. Licenses are, however, just a start and industry, government and the OGA now need to work together to revitalize exploration activity across the basin and convert licenses into successful exploration wells,” OGA Chief Executive Andy Samuels said in a statement Monday. […]