Premier Oil was originally established in 1934, initially to explore for oil and gas in Trinidad. In the 2000s, the company grew its presence in the UK and South-East Asia, notably Vietnam and Indonesia, through a mixture of acquisitions and successful exploration programmes.

In 2021, Premier Oil merged with Chrysaor to become Harbour Energy plc.

  • founded as the Caribbean Oil Company, to pursue oil and gas exploration and production activities in Trinidad

2006

  • discovery of Dua/Chim Sáo oil fields in Vietnam

2007

  • acquisition of additional interest in the Scott field from Hess

2008

  • joint venture with Emirates International Investment Company to build a presence in the Middle East and North Africa regions
  • signature of second Gas Sale Agreement into Singapore and gas sales to Batam, Indonesia

2009

  • acquisition of Oilexco in the UK North Sea
  • acquisition of Delek Energy Systems, which included an increased interest in the Chim Sáo and Dua oil fields

2010

  • discovery of Catcher in the UK North Sea

2011

  • acquisition of Wytch Farm assets in the UK
  • Solan sale and purchase agreement signed
  • first oil from the Chim Sao field in Vietnam
  • first gas from the Gajah Baru field into Singapore

2012

  • successful acquisition of 60 percent of equity in Rockhopper's licence interests in the Falkland Islands
  • Solan Field Development Plan approved
  • acquisition of EnCore Oil

2013

  • acquisition of additional interest in the Bream field and transfer of operatorship to Premier

2014

  • Catcher project sanctioned
  • first oil and gas from Dua in Vietnam and Naga in Indonesia

2015

  • first gas from Pelican fields in Indonesia.
  • significant exploration success in the Falkland Islands
  • exploration portfolio increased in Brazil and new entry into Mexico

2016

  • first oil from the Solan field, West of Shetland
  • completion of acquisition of EON’s UK assets
  • significant progress and cost savings achieved on Catcher development

2017

  • world-class Zama oil discovery offshore Mexico
  • first oil from the Catcher field, North Sea

2018

  • farmed into Andaman II, Indonesia
  • Tolmount main gas project sanctioned

2019

  • farmed into South Andaman and Andaman I, Indonesia
  • first gas from BIG-P, Indonesia
  • farmed-in for a 60 percent equity interest in Area A of Project Icewine Conventional, Alaska

2020

  • announced a transformational proposed all-share merger with Chrysaor to form Harbour Energy plc
  • 31 March 2021 - completed an all share merger with Premier Oil to form Harbour Energy plc

Read about the history of Chrysaor