New research suggests that North Sea oil output may get a boost of a net 400,000 barrels per day in the next two years.
The findings of the Reuters research defies gloomy predictions about future production levels in the basin.
Projects from the West of Shetland are expected to provide a significant increase in current production levels as some major assets come onstream.
The net rise in overall production is expected to be about 400,000 bpd by 2020, according to U.S. energy-focused investment bank Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.
The North Sea produces Brent and three other crudes – Forties, Oseberg, and Ekofisk – that make up the Brent futures benchmark.
Reuters claim the region is expected to report its third annual production rise in a row in 2017, reversing years of sliding output.