Written questions

Natural Gas and Oil: Exploration

Commons · Question 4042 · Tabled 21 May 2026 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · Official record

Answered 5 Jun 2026

Question

Asked by James McMurdock

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to encourage a) onshore and b) offshore oil and gas exploration.

Answer

Answered by Michael Shanks, 5 Jun 2026

The 2025 North Sea Future Plan set out the government’s commitment not to issue new oil and gas licences onshore in England or offshore across the UK. The government will manage existing fields for their lifespan, including through the introduction of Tra...