UKOOG is the representative body for the UK onshore oil and gas industry including exploration and production. The organisation’s objectives are to:
- enhance the profile of the whole onshore industry (both conventional and unconventional);
- promote better and more open dialogue with key stakeholders;
- deliver industry wide initiatives and programmes; and
- ensure the highest possible standards in safety, environment management and operations.
UKOOG is a membership organisation fully funded by its members. Full membership is open to all UK onshore licence holders and operators, and associate membership is open to all suppliers to the UK onshore oil and gas industry.
History of UK Onshore Oil & Gas
- The industry in the UK dates back to the 1850s
- Onshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) are established techniques
- Recent resource estimates have shown that there could be 1,329 trillion cubic feet of shale gas potential in central England.
The onshore oil and gas industry in the UK has been in existence for over 150 years. Before the First World War, the UK got almost all its oil and gas from outside the country. Oil was discovered in Scotland in 1851 followed by gas in England in 1896 during construction of Heathfield rail station in Sussex, when natural water wells were being dug. The gas discovered went on to power the lights for the station.
During both world wars the need for Britain to produce its own oil to help the war effort rather than rely on imports became of real importance to the Government and legislation was introduced to enable companies to explore for hydrocarbons more readily.
In 1973, Wytch Farm Oilfield in Eastern Dorset was opened in an area of outstanding natural beauty and today it is the largest oilfield in Western Europe. At around the same time, it is believed the first hydraulic fracture in the UK was performed.
Onshore oil and gas activity started to accelerate again after the 1979 oil crisis. As prices rose, domestic production became increasingly important.
In the UK today, there are 120 sites with 250 operating wells producing between 20,000 and 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day
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