P2 SECTION C: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT- NORTH SEA

Question 1

NORTH SEA: BACKGROUND

Answer 1

• Oil + gas found in sea (UK allowed to dig for)
• Less than 50% oil/gas remain
• 100+ oil installation in oilfields (operated by BP, Shell, etc)
• Gannett oilfield: 180km east of Aberdeen
• 88 000 barrels of oil per day transported to Teesside and Aberdeen

Question 2

NORTH SEA: ADVANTAGES

Answer 2

• Energy secure: UK doesn’t rely on foreign sources.
• Makes huge amount of jobs: boosts employment for local economy
• UK GOV benefit from tax revenues: £300 bil since 1975
• New licenses (27 granted) boost industry: supporting 200 000 jobs + contribute £16 billion every year
• Advancing transition to low-carbon tech

Question 3

NORTH SEA: DISADVANTAGES

Answer 3

• Huge investments needed to develop tech
• Major accidents causing deaths:
  -> Piper Alpha disaster (1988) killing 167, £1.7 billion loses
• Price of oil fluctuates- job losses
• Finite supply: UK vulnerable in long term
• Oil leaks: damages environment
• Priortising renewables deemed more important by some