Stifel estimates UK North Sea gas production saved the country approximately £2.5 billion in 2025 compared to imported liquefied natural gas, with the firm expecting substantially higher savings in 2026 due to rising global LNG prices from the Persian Gulf conflict. The UK relied on LNG imports for roughly 20% of its gas supply in 2025.

The firm states UK North Sea gas is cheaper than imported LNG and provides additional benefits including tax revenues, jobs, investment, economic growth and energy security that LNG imports do not deliver. Stifel questions UK policy that taxes domestic gas production through the “Windfall” tax while planning to add additional LNG import capacity.

The UK will need oil and gas until 2050 and beyond, according to the Climate Change Commission, as only approximately 25% of UK gas is used for power generation. The UK Government forecasts the country will need roughly 35 gigawatts of gas-fired power as backup for renewables beyond 2030, even if Clean Power 2030 targets are met.

Stifel recommends reforming the “Windfall” tax and maximizing UK gas production to increase jobs, tax revenues, emissions reductions and energy security. The firm describes the current situation as potentially the worst energy crisis since 1973.

The firm advocates for an “everything everywhere all at once” energy strategy for the UK, stating that alternatives to maximizing domestic gas production are worse in every way for the country.
Source: Investing.com