More than 100 applications have been received for the latest offshore oil and gas licensing round.
A total of 115 bids, from 76 companies, have been made across 258 blocks.
The 33rd UK round opened in October, offering acreage across the North Sea. It included four priority areas - which have known hydrocarbons - in which there was very keen interest, and could see production in as little as 18 months.
