In 1962, a joint venture was formed for the initial exploration and possible development and production activities in Denmark. The venture was named Dansk Undergrunds Consortium (DUC). Today, the participants are A.P. Møller-Mærsk (39%), Shell (46%) and Chevron (15%). Maersk Oil is the operator.

In 2007, a daily oil production of some 275,000 barrels and a daily sales gas production of some 1,000 million cubic feet was achieved from the fields operated by Maersk Oil in the Danish North Sea, primarily from tight chalk reservoirs. The high production level is accomplished through extensive water flooding by injecting some 800,000 barrels of water per day into the reservoirs.

Since 1998, exploration activities in licence 9/95 Maja have been carried out by DUC with Maersk Oil as operator and DONG E&P as partner with 20% interest. In 2006, A.P. Møller - Mærsk was awarded additional three exploration licences, whereof one has been relinquished in 2008. The participation share in licence 9/06 is A.P. Møller - Mærsk (31.2%), Shell (36.8%), Chevron (12,0%) and The Danish North Sea Fund (20%). In licence 8/06 the participation is A.P. Møller - Mærsk (36.7%), Shell (43.3%) and The Danish North Sea Fund (20%). The operatorship in all these licences is held by Maersk Oil.

Map of production facilities