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