Industry group sets out potential boost for North Sea output
A report published by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) says that with greater support from government the North Sea sector could "unlock" up to 100 additional oil and gas developments. OEUK, which represents companies operating in the UK offshore energy industry, argues that these projects would substantially increase domestic production.
The industry group estimates that the additional output could enable the UK to supply about half of its oil and gas requirements from domestic sources rather than relying on imports. The report frames the potential increase in production as a contribution to national energy security.
OEUK's findings were presented to ministers and industry stakeholders as part of a wider appeal for policies that, the group says, would make more projects commercially viable. The organisation says government action would be necessary to bring forward the additional developments, though it did not set out a detailed timetable for delivery in its summary.
The claims in the report reflect the perspective of North Sea operators and investors. Independent assessment of the technical, economic and environmental implications of unlocking up to 100 projects would be needed to gauge how quickly and sustainably any increased production could be realised. The government has not been quoted in the report summary provided alongside OEUK's findings.