The new data from the oil industry are aimed at encouraging exploration

The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has announced the release of a major industry data publication in hopes of encouraging further exploration.

The UK National Oil and Gas Data Repository contains detailed information on thousands of wells, seismic surveys and pipelines.

It is hoped that giving industry and academics access to information will encourage collaboration.

The data is now available for free via an online platform.

Nic Granger, of the AGO, said: "The world is entering a" fourth industrial revolution ", with data at its center.

"The national data repository is a first in the UK and is an important step in our vision to enable open and transparent data.

"The platform provides data for machine learning and artificial intelligence and offers the opportunity to discover new perspectives and games until then neglected."

The NDR covers more than 12,500 wells, 5,000 seismic surveys and 3,000 pipelines.