Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the impact of the expansion of oil and gas exploration in the North Sea on the environment.
Answered by Graham Stuart
NSTA analysis shows domestic gas production is on average almost four times cleaner than the process of producing and importing gas in LNG form. Reducing domestic production would not reduce end use emissions but could lead to billions of pounds going abroad and lost British jobs and tax revenues. New licences slow the decline in UK oil and gas production, boosting the UK's energy security, rather than increasing production above current levels. The UK remains on track to meet net zero by 2050.
The impact of North Sea exploration has been assessed by the UK Government in an Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment.