David Lenigas is retiring as chairman of UK Oil and Gas Investments plc, one of the companies behind the Horse Hill exploratory oil well near Gatwick. He has been replaced by Steve Sanderson, who will remain as chief executive.

A statement from  UKOG said Mr Lenigas has left the company’s board to focus on other business interests. He will be retained as a consultant to the board for at least four months.

The statement said Mr Sanderson had been “instrumental in growing the company’s UK asset base” and managing its interest in Horse Hill.

Acquisitions and extensions

In the past year, UKOG has announced licence area acquisitions and extensions across southern England.

Avington producing oil field, Hampshire, PEDL 070 Holds 5% interest. Acquired from NOP.

Baxter’s Copse, West Sussex, PEDL233 Holds 50% interest. Acquired from NOP. Oil and Gas Authority granted one year extension to exploration phase on 13^th May 2015.

Holmwood prospect, Surrey, PEDL 143 Holds 20%, acquired on 29^th June 2015. Licence area includes the Holmwood prospect, where Europa Oil is seeking permission to drill an exploratory well at Bury Hill Wood. The well was the subject of a recent planning inquiry, the result of which is awaited. PEDL 143 is immediately west of the Horse Hill licence area PEDL 137 and south of the Brockham oil field, where UKOG has interests (see Indirect Interests).

Horndean producing oil field, Hampshire, PL211 Holds 10% interest. Acquired from NOP.

Markwells Wood, West Sussex, PEDL 126 Holds 100% interest. Acquired from NOP, Egdon and Magellan Petroleum (UK) Ltd. OGA granted one year extension of exploration phase on 13^th May 2015.

Offshore Isle of Wight P1916: Holds interest of 77.5% of licence area. On 15^th June, the OGA granted UKOG a one-year extension for exploration until 31^st January 2017.

Indirect Interests

Brockham, Surrey PL235 Holds 3.6% through interest in Angus Energy

Horse Hill, Surrey PEDL 137 Holds 20.358% through interest in Horse Hill Developments Ltd. OGA granted a one-year extension for exploration to 30^th September 2016.

Horse Hill, Surrey PEDL 246 Holds 20.358% through interest in Horse Hill Developments Ltd

Lidsey producing oil field, West Sussex PL241 Holds 4.2% through interest in Angus Energy Ltd