Almost 1,000 jobs a month could be lost from the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector between now and 2030 unless the government changes course, industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has warned.
The trade association, which represents companies across oil, gas, wind, hydrogen and carbon capture, has launched a UK-wide campaign over the summer recess to highlight the role of homegrown energy in jobs, growth and energy security.
Chief executive David Whitehouse said workers are already feeling the impact of uncertainty caused by the government’s windfall tax and proposals to end new North Sea licensing.
“Today, we are seeing skilled jobs being lost on a scale that would be unacceptable in any other sector,” Whitehouse said.
“Almost 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in the UK oil and gas sector are set to be lost every month between now and 2030. But with supportive government policies, it doesn’t have to be this way.”
OEUK said the UK imported more than 40% of its total energy needs in 2024, a year when domestic energy production fell to record lows. Imports, the group warned, come with higher emissions, fewer UK jobs, and no contribution to the public finances.
The body has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging his government to “make a simple choice” to back domestic energy production. It argues that with the right policies in place, UK firms could meet half of the nation’s oil and gas demand through to 2050, even in a net zero scenario.
Whitehouse added: “The Prime Minister and the Chancellor recognise we will need oil and gas for decades to come. We want to make sure as far as possible, it comes from UK supplies and from UK workers.”
OEUK’s campaign will see it host roundtables, constituency visits and events with MPs across the country over the summer, before taking its message to the autumn party conferences.
The push comes ahead of government decisions on tax and licensing that will shape the UK’s future energy mix and form a central part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget.
Mr Whitehouse added: “The UK will need 13–15 billion barrels of oil and gas by 2050, in a scenario where all our net zero targets are met. We are saying it’s right those needs are met by UK production as far as possible. With the right government policies in place, UK-based firms can produce half of this at home. We are campaigning for the UK to take this opportunity.
“The gas from the North Sea goes directly into the grid to heat 85% of homes across the country. Over 80% of our oil is refined either here in the UK or Europe. With war in Ukraine, North Sea oil is a key part of Europe’s energy security.
“This is not just about Aberdeen or Scotland. Communities from Shetland to Southampton, Grangemouth to Tyneside, Teesside, the Humber, and Merseyside all play vital roles in the UK’s energy supply.
“Over the summer recess while MPs are out in their constituencies, we want them to meet some of our 200,000 people spread up and down the country.
“It is time for everyone who cares about the sector and the communities it supports, everyone who cares about Britain’s industrial future, to get engaged and speak up.”