Building the Future North Sea
Shaping a homegrown energy future for UK security, growth, industry and net zero
With vital consultations ongoing for this sector, the future of the North Sea is in our hands.
By taking a pragmatic approach, we can unlock the full potential of the North Sea:
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Secure homegrown energy: Reduce our dependence on costly, higher-emission imports by increasing domestic production.
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Protect jobs: Protect and grow over 200,000 skilled jobs across the UK.
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Deliver on Net Zero: Invest in cleaner technologies such as offshore wind, carbon capture, and hydrogen, supported by our existing infrastructure and supply chain.
Why act now?
Decisive moment for policy
The decisions made today will define the UK’s energy security, national security, economic resilience, and net zero ambitions for decades to come.
Securing our future
A pragmatic approach means continuing to prioritise homegrown sources of energy – supporting homegrown jobs and a homegrown economy too.
What are the benefits of the UK’s North Sea?
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01.
Supports skilled jobs nationwide
The offshore energy industry sustains over 200,000 jobs across the UK, including 90,000 in Scotland.
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02.
Major economic contributor
In 2023 alone, UK oil and gas added £25bn to the economy. Companies operating here plan to invest over £120bn in offshore energy by 2030, including at least £65bn in offshore wind, hydrogen and the carbon capture and storage – all solutions needed to help the nation decarbonise.
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Essential for energy security
Even in the net zero future, the UK will require 13-15 billion barrels of oil and gas between now and 2050. Current plans show the UK will produce less than 4 billion barrels, leaving us increasingly reliant on imports.
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04.
Delivering the energy transition
The industry has cut oil and gas emissions by 28% since 2018 and more than halved methane emissions. The same supply chains, engineering expertise, and infrastructure that deliver our oil and gas today are also building the offshore wind farms, carbon storage projects, and hydrogen networks of the future.
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05.
A national strategic asset powering industry
The North Sea underpins industrial capability across the UK, from energy hubs in Aberdeen and Teesside to manufacturing sites in the Black Country, the Humber, and central Scotland.
Did you know?
By developing homegrown energy ourselves, we can help reinforce energy security, support the UK economy and retain hundreds of thousands of jobs across the UK. Stopping UK production does nothing to reduce our demand for these resources – leading to increased imports of energy.