- Natural Gas Production refers to the total volume of marketable natural gas extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year.
UK Natural Gas Production was 34.50 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, down 9.4% on 2022. The Natural Gas Production dataset of the UK from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country's natural gas industry, highlighting annual production volumes, output trends, and developments across the upstream energy sector. Measured in billion cubic metres (bcm), the dataset represents the total volume of marketable natural gas produced annually.
UK Natural Gas Production moved from 40.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 34.50 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (−15.2%), an average of −2% a year. The series high was 41.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2017 and the low 32.80 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2021) is 9.10 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was −17.2% in 2021.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, UK ranks 22 for 2023, behind U.S. (1,035 Billion Cubic Metres) and Russia (586.4 Billion Cubic Metres). It accounts for 0.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34.50 | −9.4% |
| 2022 | 38.10 | +16.2% |
| 2021 Trough | 32.80 | −17.2% |
| 2020 | 39.60 | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 39.30 | −3.2% |
| 2018 | 40.60 | −3.1% |
| 2017Peak | 41.90 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 41.70 | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 40.70 | — |
Regional context
Natural Gas Production by country, 2023, Billion Cubic Metres. UK is highlighted.
Data definition
Natural Gas Production — - Natural Gas Production refers to the total volume of marketable natural gas extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the production of natural gas that is available for sale, distribution, or consumption after the removal of impurities and non-hydrocarbon components where applicable. The indicator includes gas produced from both associated gas fields (produced alongside crude oil) and non-associated gas fields. Natural Gas Production is a key measure of a country's upstream gas industry, resource availability, energy security, and contribution to domestic and global natural gas supply.
The data includes the production of marketable natural gas from conventional and unconventional sources, including associated gas, non-associated gas, shale gas, tight gas, coalbed methane, and offshore gas fields where commercially recoverable. It covers gas produced for domestic consumption, exports, storage injection, and industrial use after field processing to remove water, impurities, and certain non-hydrocarbon gases, as defined by national reporting methodologies. Production from both onshore and offshore operations is included. The indicator is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national production statistics and industry data, enabling consistent comparison of natural gas production across countries and over time.
The data excludes natural gas that is vented, flared, reinjected into reservoirs for pressure maintenance, or otherwise not marketed unless specifically included under national reporting practices. It also excludes natural gas liquids (NGLs), lease condensate, crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing volumes, and refined petroleum products. The indicator does not measure natural gas consumption, reserves, imports, exports, pipeline transmission, storage inventories, or distribution losses. Differences in national reporting standards, definitions of marketable gas, processing practices, and estimation methodologies may result in minor variations in reported values across countries.
Natural Gas Production — - Natural Gas Production refers to the total volume of marketable natural gas extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the production of natural gas that is available for sale, distribution, or consumption after the removal of impurities and non-hydrocarbon components where applicable. The indicator includes gas produced from both associated gas fields (produced alongside crude oil) and non-associated gas fields. Natural Gas Production is a key measure of a country's upstream gas industry, resource availability, energy security, and contribution to domestic and global natural gas supply.
It serves as an important indicator of resource availability, production capacity, energy security, industrial performance, and the UK's ability to meet domestic energy demand.
The UK recorded natural gas production of 40.7 bcm in 2015, increasing to 41.7 bcm in 2016 and 41.9 bcm in 2017 before declining to 40.6 bcm in 2018 and 39.3 bcm in 2019. Production remained relatively stable at 39.6 bcm in 2020 before falling to 32.8 bcm in 2021. Output recovered to 38.1 bcm in 2022 but declined again to 34.5 bcm in 2023, reflecting mature North Sea fields, natural production declines, and operational variability.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a gradual downward trend in natural gas production with moderate fluctuations throughout the review period. Although production recovered temporarily in 2022, output remained below the levels recorded at the beginning of the period, reflecting the challenges associated with mature upstream assets.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating the UK's natural gas production trends, analyzing upstream industry performance, and assessing domestic gas supply. It supports energy security planning, investment analysis, market assessments, and policy evaluation while providing valuable insights for researchers, analysts, industry stakeholders, and policymakers studying production efficiency, resource development, infrastructure planning, and the long-term sustainability of the UK's natural gas industry.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
Definition- Natural Gas Production refers to the total volume of marketable natural gas extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the production of natural gas that is available for sale, distribution, or consumption after the removal of impurities and non-hydrocarbon components where applicable. The indicator includes gas produced from both associated gas fields (produced alongside crude oil) and non-associated gas fields. Natural Gas Production is a key measure of a country's upstream gas industry, resource availability, energy security, and contribution to domestic and global natural gas supply.
UK Natural Gas Production was 34.50 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, down 9.4% on 2022.
UK Natural Gas Production moved from 40.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 34.50 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (−15.2%), an average of −2% a year. The series high was 41.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2017 and the low 32.80 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021.
The highest value was 41.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2017 and the lowest was 32.80 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021.
Included: The data includes the production of marketable natural gas from conventional and unconventional sources, including associated gas, non-associated gas, shale gas, tight gas, coalbed methane, and offshore gas fields where commercially recoverable. It covers gas produced for domestic consumption, exports, storage injection, and industrial use after field processing to remove water, impurities, and certain non-hydrocarbon gases, as defined by national reporting methodologies. Production from both onshore and offshore operations is included. The indicator is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national production statistics and industry data, enabling consistent comparison of natural gas production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes natural gas that is vented, flared, reinjected into reservoirs for pressure maintenance, or otherwise not marketed unless specifically included under national reporting practices. It also excludes natural gas liquids (NGLs), lease condensate, crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing volumes, and refined petroleum products. The indicator does not measure natural gas consumption, reserves, imports, exports, pipeline transmission, storage inventories, or distribution losses. Differences in national reporting standards, definitions of marketable gas, processing practices, and estimation methodologies may result in minor variations in reported values across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.