LONDON, July 8 (UPI) -- The British government said Monday there were 10 exploration wells started so far this year in its territorial waters, on pace with recent trends.
The British Department of Energy and Climate Change published statistics Monday about its oil and natural gas drilling activity. It said there were 10 wells started in its territorial waters during the first two quarters of the year.
That corresponds roughly with a 2012 pace set with 22 exploration wells. A 21st century high was posted in 2008 with 44 wells. There have been 17 appraisal wells started so far in 2013
The British government in June adopted tighter offshore oil and natural gas safety measures proposed by the European Union. The regulatory framework was in response to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Last week, the government said the country was on pace to meet its emissions requirements. British law requires a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 80 percent of a baseline calculated on a 2011 inventory.
Members of the European Union are reviewing climate benchmarks for 2030 to build on goals set for 2020.
