North Sea exploration drilling will remain in the doldrums unless more clarity on the size of remaining reserves is provided, an oil and gas analyst said.
Brian Nottage of Hannon Westwood said the estimates being quoted showed industry is unclear about what the UK continental shelf has to offer, which puts off investors.
Mr Nottage also said plays the same size as the Clair field could be left undiscovered without better incentives and more trust in technology.