Oil and Gas Production Statistics for 2019

Statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that oil and gas production in Scotland, including Scottish adjacent waters, is estimated to have been 77.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe). This was an increase of 0.4% compared to 2018, and accounted for 82 per cent of total UK production.

In the latest year, production of crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL), which account for nearly three quarters of the total, increased by 2.2% to 54.0 mtoe, which is the highest level since 2010. This was slightly offset by a fall of 3.5% in natural gas production, to 23.2 mtoe.

The approximate sales value of oil and gas produced in Scotland is estimated to have been £22.5 billion in 2019. This has fallen by 11.5% compared to 2018 due to a reduction in oil and gas prices. Operating expenditure, not including decommissioning, has increased to £7.5 billion. Capital expenditure in Scottish adjacent waters has increased to £6.1 billion.

Background

Correction: The statistics originally published in this release on 31 March were corrected on 8 April 2021, after a processing error was discovered. Further details can be found in the publication.

The full statistics publication, including results back to 1998, is available at:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/oil-and-gas-production-statistics-2019/

Oil and Gas Production Statistics includes estimates of oil and gas production activity in Scotland (including Scottish adjacent waters). It reports production volumes, approximate sales income, operating costs and capital expenditure.

In this publication all estimates are converted into the standard energy unit of tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) to allow for comparison between liquids and gases. A tonne of oil equivalent is the amount of oil, gas or NGL equivalent to 11,630 kWh or 41.868 GJ.

All statistics in this publication are consistent with information published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) for total UK oil and gas production, income and expenditure. Estimates for Scotland are based on production data for each individual oil and gas field which is located in Scotland or Scottish adjacent waters.

Further information on energy and economy statistics is available at:
Economy statistics
Energy statistics 

The figures released today were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. More information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About