INTERNATIONAL private equity groups could invest up to $15 billion in the North Sea, according to analysis from Wood Mackenzie.

Research from the group has found there are 14 private equity-backed companies active in the North Sea, with $5bn already invested in the region this year, as major reduce spending.

Wood Mackenzie said that an estimated 15 billion barrels of undeveloped North Sea resource and lower costs have attracted companies to the development model.