Production – Introduction and Background

Though a mature basin, the UK continues to produce very large volumes of oil and gas from its continental shelf (UKCS). During 2006, some 1.1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) were recovered, making a total of just over 36 billion boe over the last forty years. These volumes satisfied the vast majority of domestic demand, and highlight the fact that the UK remains a globally significant oil and gas producer.

Production – Key Statistics and Commentary

The UKCS continues to produce a large amount of oil and gas despite being a mature basin in its 4th decade of production. 2006 saw the recovery of 1.1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe), accounting for 96% and 92% of indigenous demand in oil and gas respectively. These figures reinforce the UK’s position as a globally significant oil and gas producer – in world terms the UK remains the 4th largest gas producer and the 15th largest oil producer. For combined oil and gas production the UK is ranked 12th, ahead of Nigeria, Kuwait and Indonesia.

Average UK Oil and Gas Production Per Day: 1970-2006

Fig E2: Major Oil and Gas Producing Countries 2005

Production – Supplementary Statistics and Commentary

For more information, see the Supplementary Statistics Section.