Contact us About us Our operations Sustainability Investors Media Suppliers Home About us Oil life cycle Oil life cycle The oil and gas cycle is the stages an international oil exploration and production company (IOC) goes through, from its initial entry into a country, through to when natural hydrocarbon reserves are depleted. Back to About us At Tullow, we want our contribution to the global oil life cycle to bring tangible and sustainable value to the groups that should benefit from our presence. Exploration & appraisal 2-10 year period We collect and interpret seismic and geophysical data to assess potential oil in the ground. We drill an initial well and after a discovery, we drill appraisal wells and potential additional exploration wells to determine the size, quality and extent of the geological play. If there is no oil or it is not commercially viable, the well will be plugged and abandoned. Investment by IOC Seismic activity, drilling of exploration & appraisal wells. Value created Social investment projects e.g. improved infrastructure or access to water. Operations in Explore stage Development of discovery 3-10 year period We begin work on a Plan of Development (PoD) once we have confirmed that the oil discovery we have made is commercially viable. The PoD involves extensive stakeholder engagement and must consider environmental, social, economic and operational issues. These plans are approved by governments and regulatory authorities and their implementation is carefully monitored. Investment by IOC Capital intensive period for IOC to develop field. Value created Extensive in-country activity during development phase e.g. increase in local jobs and suppliers. Operations in Develop stage Produce 20-50 year period Successful developments should be carried out in the most cost-effective way, without compromising high safety standards, and with regard for the environment and local communities that may be affected by our work. Production can last many decades. Investment by IOC Investment to maintain maturing production. Value created Monetary value for host country from production tax and royalties. Cost effective production provides high-margin cash flow to the IOC. Cash flow for the IOC is dependent on oil price and expenditure. Continued local employment and use of local suppliers to support production operations. Operations in Produce stage Decommissioning 3-10 year period When production ceases, facilities are decommissioned and the location is fully remediated. Investment by IOC Specialist skills for decommissioning to ensure full restoration of the site. Value created Legacy of skills built up through involvement in the oil and gas industry. Local employment for demolition, waste management and fabrication. Operations in Decommission stage Investment and returns International oil company investment An oil company will often carry the host government’s share of costs through to first oil. In addition to the capital invested, the oil company pays the host government a number of taxes as well as land rentals, training and ongoing licence costs. The oil company also undertakes capacity building programmes including skills, knowledge and technology transfer to maximise local business and workforce participation in the industry. International oil company take An agreement between the oil company and government determines how and when costs can be recovered and how production and revenues are shared. Typically, the oil company’s share of production or revenue is higher in the earlier years of production as costs are recovered in the form of allowable deductions against income tax or as an allocation of production, commonly known as ‘cost oil’. In-country value creation Creating shared prosperity is the key pillar of Tullow’s sustainability strategy. The area where we can create the most discretionary value is through foreign direct investment, local procurement, local employment and capacity building through skills, knowledge and technology transfer. The scale of the opportunity for local business contracts and jobs increases as a project moves from the exploration phase through to production. Find out more about us How we run our business Read more Our purpose and strategy Read more 9 Chiswick Park 566 Chiswick High Road London, W4 5XT United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)20 3249 9000 Email: info@tullowoil.com Contact us Sitemap Glossary Accessibility Gender Pay Gap Modern Slavery Act 2015 - Previous Statements Cookie declaration Privacy notice and cookies Policy library Legal notice Connect with us on: © 2021 Tullow Oil plc Tullow Oil plc is registered in England and Wales: Number 3919249 Registered address: 9 Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5XT, United Kingdom. VAT number: 769 3613 91