OREANDA-NEWS. The UK's crude production in March was 3pc higher than in February, but was more than 10pc lower than in March last year, according to preliminary figures from the UK government.

Crude production averaged 778,000 b/d in March, up from a revised 753,000 b/d in February. The figures suggest total liquids production in the UK averaged 826,000 b/d in March, up from 794,000 b/d in February. The rise was driven by a 12pc rise in production of the UK's largest crude grade Forties, which offset a decline in the production of both Brent and Flotta Gold.

But output in March was again lower than in the same month last year, when total liquids production averaged 932,000 b/d. In the first quarter of 2015, UK liquids production averaged 838,000 b/d, down 8pc from the 911,000 b/d produced in the first three months of last year.