Academics warn oil and gas reserves in Scotland and the UK could only last a decade

Oil and gas reserves in Scotland and the UK may last only a decade, according to academics.

A new study of output from offshore fields estimates that only about 10% of the UK’s original recoverable oil and gas remains.

The research, by scientists at Edinburgh University, has also found that fracking will be barely economically viable in the UK, especially Scotland.

The findings mean the UK will soon have to import all the oil and gas it needs, the researchers warn.

Study leader Professor Roy Thompson, of the university’s school of geosciences, said: “The UK urgently needs a bold energy transition plan, instead of trusting to dwindling fossil fuel reserves and possible fracking.”

Scottish Labour economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie admitted the report was “worrying”.

However, the Scottish Government has disputed the findings and insists that offshore oil and gas has a “bright future”.