NORTH Sea investment will remain strong despite a drop in drilling in the third quarter experts predicted as the London Stock Exchange forecast a wave of flotations by Aberdeen oil and gas firms.

The investment exchange believes Aberdeen's booming oil and gas economy has powered the development of a range of firms with the qualities needed to win a following among City investors. This includes exploration and production firms and oil services businesses which support them.

Officials from the exchange will tout for recruits in the city next week amid signs that the surge in activity seen in the North Sea in recent years is set to continue.

In its latest report on the industry, Deloitte said the UK North Sea remains a focus for investment although the number of wells drilled in the area fell by around one-third in the three months to September.

"While the most recent drilling figures are lower than expected, one quarter does not tell the whole story," said Graeme Sheils, energy partner at the accountancy giant in Aberdeen.

"Business confidence continues to be positive around the outlook for the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, with the oil service sector seeing high activity levels on the back of strong production."

The study by Deloitte provided further evidence a growing number of firms see potential to make commercial finds in UK waters.

While the UK is seen as a mature province in which the biggest finds may have already been made, Deloitte noted smaller exploration firms powered an increase in deal activity in the area in the third quarter.

The firm recorded 14 deals compared with 12 in the same period of 2012.

More than half of the deals involved firms buying into acreage held by others.

For example, last month Ithaca Energy sold stakes in UK licences to buyers from Italy, Bermuda and Norway.

The £103m takeover of Aberdeen-based Bridge Energy by Norway's Spike Exploration reflected the enthusiasm of private equity investors for the area.

Graham Sadler, managing director of Deloitte's Petroleum Services Group, appeared relaxed about the fact that only 11 exploration and appraisal wells were drilled in the UK North Sea in the latest quarter. That compares with 17 in the same period of 2012 and 16 in the second quarter of this year.

Noting there is a "natural ebb and flow" of activity in the North Sea, Mr Sadler predicted drilling will pick up.

He said: "When bidding for exploration licences, companies make a commitment to the Government to drill a certain amount of wells within a certain timeframe.

"Many companies have commitments from recent licensing rounds which are yet to be fulfilled, so we may well see these materialise in the coming months."

The London Stock Exchange noted there has been a surge in investment in the UK North Sea. New entrants from countries including South Korea and China have invested big sums. The investment has helped a range of oil and gas firms to achieve rapid growth.

The exchange will hold an Initial Public Offering Forum in Aberdeen on October 31, supported by PwC, legal firm Pinsent Masons and Cenkos Securities

Rosalie Chadwick, a Pinsent Masons partner, said: "The Stock Exchange has identified a number of potential IPO candidates in Aberdeen - companies which boast the key components regulators and investors look for in a listed company. Those qualities are top-class management teams, strong internal controls, sound financials and excellent growth prospects."

Ms Chadwick said there is a wealth of top quality private equity backed companies in the Aberdeen region.

A range of Aberdeen firms including the Asco logistics business have won significant private equity investment in recent years.

Wood Group, the Aberdeen-based oil services giant, floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2002.