How much oil is left in the North Sea?

The North Sea has almost as much oil left as has already been extracted, a BBC Scotland investigation has confirmed.

Experts believe between 25 and 30 billion barrels could still be recovered over the next 40 years.

The revelations were made in a landmark BBC Scotland film which shows how the modern history of Scotland is intrinsically linked to the 'black gold' being pumped out of the North Sea.

How long will North Sea oil last? The answer to that depends on many things, including market conditions, future government initiatives and constant technological improvements.

But the proven reserves on some of the region's oldest fields are in fact rising. The Forties Field, one of the biggest and most iconic, is still producing oil 33 years after the first oil was pumped ashore.