UK could 'unlock' 100 more oil and gas projects, say North Sea bosses

Share Save Add as preferred on Google Kevin Keane Scotland environment, energy and rural affairs correspondent Getty Images A legal challenge by environmental groups has halted projects being consented The UK could supply half of its oil and gas needs without imports if the government showed more support for the sector, an industry report claims.

Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said changes to the windfall tax on energy firms and approval of the controversial Rosebank and Jackdaw fields could unlock 111 projects, attracting investment worth £50bn.

North Sea output has been falling and projections suggest that the UK's domestic supplies will meet only about a third of demand until 2050.

Environmental group Uplift branded the report a "fantasy" and said that the Prime Minister should not listen to "self-interested demands" of oil companies.