More than 7.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) were produced in the North Sea in 2025, which was an increase of 21,000 since 2024.
The report by North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) says production efficiency (PE), which indicates how well companies are performing by comparing production with maximum potential, increased by one percentage to 76% last year.
However, this fell short of the 80% PE target.
The 1% increase was achieved by planning maintenance, executing shutdowns more effectively and have engaging with the NSTA to identify shut-in wells they could bring back online.
Tom Wheeler, NSTA Operations Director, said: “The rise in production efficiency in 2025 shows that even mature basins such as the North Sea can reward those with high operating standards with additional barrels.
“The NSTA will continue to help operators make the most of their fields by sharing best practice and learning lessons through its stewardship reviews, data tools, and the work of industry task forces.”
Operators were able to reduce the production losses caused by issues with facilities, wells and systems used to transport oil and gas to onshore terminals for the first time since 2021.
Production losses totalled 114 million BOE last year, with a 73% majority stemming from turn-arounds and shutdowns (TAR), which are maintenance works, upgrades and inspections.
The NSTA say that operators should continue to focus on improving TAR planning and execution to sustain the positive trend.
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