In 2000, Tullow made the first of a series of key acquisitions when the Group bought producing gas fields and related infrastructure in the UK Southern North Sea from BP for £201m. Tullow also raised £42m in a placing to help pay for the deal. This proved to be a catalyst for Tullow and the Group became a leading player in the CMS and Thames/Hewett areas. The BP deal gave Tullow substantial production and cash flow for the first time and Tullow focused these new financial resources and management attention on offshore UK, West Africa and South Asia. In 2000, Tullow also re-registered in the UK. In 2003, Tullow acquired additional equity in the Hewitt unit in the Southern North and assumed operatorship of the Bacton Gas Terminal in East Anglia.