Written Question·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·UIN 122612

Fossil Fuels: North Sea

Tabled: 20 March 2026
Answered: 30 March 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the volume of UK-origin oil and gas reserves that are currently being extracted by foreign operators and subsequently re-imported into the UK.

Answer

Michael Shanks
Oil and gas produced in the North Sea is traded on international markets, regardless of whether the operator is UK-based or otherwise. Due to the physical characteristics of UK North Sea Crude, such as density and sulphur content, it is often more cost-ef...
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