Since 1970, approximately 39 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) have been extracted from the UK Continental Shelf. The Department of Energy and Climate Change's central estimate of the total potential is 20.8 billion boe with an upper estimate of 37 billion boe and a low estimate of 11 billion boe - although the exact amount of reserves remaining will depend on a range of factors.
Total production of oil and gas was 2.63 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in 2008 which represents a fall of 5% compared to 2007.
Research by the University of Aberdeen shows that Scotland's share of North Sea tax revenue will exceed 90% over the next five years.
The representative body, Oil and Gas UK, estimate that in 2008 the industry supported around 195,000 jobs in Scotland. Of these the UKCS is estimated to account for 120,000 with a further 45,000 supported in the export of goods and services and 30,000 supported in the wider economy.
Over the six years from 2008/09 the North Sea is projected to generate £45 billion in tax revenue for the UK Exchequer, compared to £41 billion in the previous six.
Since 1976-77, the UK Government has raised approximately £155 billion in direct tax revenue from oil and gas production in the North Sea. Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to over £269 billion (2008-09 prices).