About oil and gas
Oil and gas remain vital parts of the UK’s energy mix; both of these fossil fuels are used for electricity generation.
In 2009, indigenous production of oil and gas met around 80% of the UK primary demand in oil and gas, or about two-thirds of the UK overall primary energy need. Although oil and gas production is now in decline, the remaining resource is sufficient to provide major benefits to the economy and to security of supply for many years.
The UK oil and gas industry has been the largest sector of industrial development throughout the past four decades. It continues to support more than 400,000 jobs and contribute around £8 billion a year to the Exchequer. UK production remains central to UK energy supplies.
DECC is responsible for licensing, exploration and regulating oil and gas developments on the UK continental shelf, working with the oil and gas supply chain, and regulating the environmental aspects of the industry including decommissioning.
We aim to maximise the economic recovery of oil and gas from the UK’s oil and gas reserves, taking full account of environmental, social and economic objectives.
PILOT
PILOT is a joint programme involving the Government and UK oil and gas industry operators, contractors, suppliers, trade unions and SMEs aiming to secure the long-term future of the industry in the UK.