Total British net energy production increased last year for the first time in nearly 20 years in part because of new gas output, the government said. The British government released provisional data for 2015 that show primary energy production increased 9 percent, the first such increase since 1999. The government attributed the increase to new oil and natural gas production. Total British oil and liquids production increased 12.8 percent because of new production and fewer shutdowns attributed to maintenance activity. Nevertheless, the country remained a net importer of petroleum products. Oil & Gas U.K., the industry’s lobbying group, said maturation and pressure from lower crude oil prices means the North Sea […]