UK production output index: crude petroleum and natural gas
UK production output index: crude petroleum and natural gas stood at 79.5 in Jul 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Monthly GDP and output table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1990 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Monthly GDP and output table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production output index by industry | |||||||||||
| 06 — Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas | 79.5 | 84.2 | 79.3 | 83.8 | 81.8 | 84.1 | 80 | 86.3 | 86.7 | 88.5 | |
| 10 — Manufacture of food products | 109.2 | 108.1 | 107.1 | 107.1 | 108 | 105.6 | 105.7 | 104.7 | 106.3 | 106.8 |
Understanding UK production output index: crude petroleum and natural gas
Subterranean extraction of crude oil and natural gas across the United Kingdom forms the specific scope of this output index. Exploration, drilling, offshore production platforms, and onshore terminal processing are captured, while downstream refining and distribution activities are excluded. This measure differs from manufacturing series by reflecting natural resource deposits and capital-intensive extraction techniques rather than fabricated goods assembly or industrial processing.
Interpreting monthly figures demands careful attention to offshore field maintenance schedules, unexpected weather disruptions, and natural depletion rates across mature basin sites in the United Kingdom. Early estimates rely on preliminary production returns and are frequently revised as operator data is finalised. Comparing annual figures helps bypass temporary shutdowns, while period-on-period movements highlight immediate operational capacity changes within the energy sector.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this index include petroleum product manufacturing?
- No, refining crude oil into petroleum products is classified under a separate manufacturing index.
- How do maintenance shutdowns affect the monthly data?
- Scheduled summer maintenance often causes sharp, temporary drops in extraction output across North Sea fields.
- Are natural gas distribution networks included here?
- Only extraction and initial processing are captured; pipeline distribution and retail supply belong to utilities.