Offshore oil and gas

The UK is a major producer of offshore oil and gas, exceeding the total UK demand for oil and almost satisfying the demand for gas. This position has been reached in 25 years and is based on the development of relatively few large discoveries. Future expectations indicate that the North Sea could become host to a further 100–200 oil fields in addition to the 44 fields already in production. The benefits to the economy and employment are substantial and are expected to continue. These achievements have gone hand-in-hand with the understanding and careful management of the environmental implications. The use of oil-based drilling muds is being reduced, and the voluntary notification scheme for chemicals used offshore is being applied more rigorously. The impact of offshore operations on the fishing industry is kept under close review, and a UKOOA Fund compensates fishermen for damage caused by non-attributable oil related debris.