New Delhi, Sept. 24 -- North Sea oil production reached a seven-year high of 1.09 million barrels per day in 2018 and in July 2019, the Oil and Gas Authority opened up applications for exploration projects in 768 blocks and part-blocks across the North Sea, the first licensing round announced since the UK's commitment to reaching net zero emissions.

This expansion has been criticised by environmental groups, with WWF Scotland calling the awarding of new licences "totally irresponsible". Scottish oil and gas fields, including the North Sea regions, are responsible for 96% of the UK's crude oil and natural gas production between 2017 and 2018, according to the Scottish Government, so new projects such as these will do little to address an ...