UK gas imports outstrip production for first time since 1967 A 21pc slump in the UK's natural gas production levels took them below the volume of gas the UK imported - even though the volume of gas imports actually fell slightly, by 0.9pc. Oil production fell by 17.5pc, continuing the downward trend in recent years. The reduction in North Sea oil and gas activity was blamed on "maintenance activities and slowdowns." The overall level of net import dependency was the highest since 1976, according to the statistics released today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The figures show that the UK became increasingly reliant on shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which accounted for 47pc of gas imports in 2011. DECC said: "In 2011 gross imports of natural gas were greater than gross production for the first time since 1967." However the overall gas trade picture was more complex. UK gas exports rose to record levels, up 4pc from 2010, as the UK actually exported more gas than it did during the peak period of gas production in 2000. The increase in exports meant that the UK's "net imports" of gas fell, down 3pc from 2010, and the net imports remained lower than the amount produced in the UK.