The Oil and Gas Authority has offered up fresh acreage near the Rhum field in the Northern North Sea.

A restricted “out of round” offering has been made for two blocks – 3/24c and 3/29c – which lie near the Serica-operated field.

The offer is open for 90 days and will close on 30^th October.

A decision is expected in the fourth quarter of the year.

Serica acquired operatorship of Rhum, along with the Bruce and Keith fields, following a series of deals last year, including a high-profile agreement with BP.

In February Serica said it would push ahead with plans which had been shelved by BP to re-enter an old well at Rhum which should boost output.