Oil and gas output predicted to rise

The oil and gas industry regulator has raised its forecast of what can be recovered from the waters around the UK over the next three decades.

Changes in the way the sector operates are thought to have unlocked the potential for a further 2.8 billion barrels of oil or the gas equivalent.

It is now estimated that 11.7 billion barrels could be recovered between 2016 to 2050.

More than 43 billion barrels have been extracted from UK waters so far. Peak production was achieved at the turn of the century.