SCOTLAND's "exports" of oil and gas were worth £30.3 billion last year according to study findings that highlight the value the industry generates at current activity levels.

The figure was calculated by the Scottish Government, which said it was the first estimate that has been made of the total annual value of oil and gas and related products like petrol that are sent from Scotland.

Officials calculated £12.8bn worth went to other parts of the UK. The remaining £17.5bn went to other countries.

Enterprise and Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said the results of the analysis confirmed Scotland is a significant player in the global oil and gas market.

"As an international oil and gas exporter, Scotland is undeniably a main player," said Mr Ewing.

He noted recent estimates suggest activity in the North Sea will last for decades, with billions of barrels still to be produced.

The export boom comes amid surging investment in the North Sea where oil and gas firms are trying to ramp up production to meet strong global demand.

America's ConocoPhillips started production from the Jasmine gas field 164 miles east of Aberdeen yesterday, with BG of the UK and Italy's ENI.

"Jasmine is the largest discovery to come onstream in the North Sea since the giant Buzzard field began production in 2007," said BG chief executive Chris Finlayson.

While BG is well known for its activity in areas like Brazil, Mr Finlayson added: "BG Group's involvement in both of these exploration and production successes, demonstrates both our world-class exploration performance and our long-term commitment to the North Sea where we believe significant potential remains."

Mr Ewing noted that London-based EnQuest gave the go ahead last week to the £4bn development of the giant Kraken field east of Shetland, which is expected to be in production into the 2040s .

In August Oil and Gas UK said firms had confirmed plans to invest £44bn in new facilities on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf in coming years.

The industry body said tax breaks introduced in recent years have had a significant impact on activity levels.

The UK Government has introduced a range of allowances designed to encourage investment since sparking anger in some quarters with a surprise hike in the North Sea tax rate in the 2011 Budget.

The Scottish Government also noted that recent research, by Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, highlighted the success of Scotland's oil and gas services firms in global markets.

International sales by the Scottish oil and gas supply chain increased from £3.4bn in 2003 to £8.2bn in 2011.

"We have many creative and innovative companies capable of identifying growth opportunities in overseas markets and making a significant contribution to such business for many years to come," said Mr Ewing.

The Scottish Government has said that the volume of oil and gas production in Scottish waters is considerably larger than the country's domestic consumption.

Officials calculated the country shipped £12.6bn crude oil and natural gas liquids outside the UK in 2012. That represented 75% of the total £16.8bn exported from the UK.

Scotland sent £5.4bn crude oil and gas liquids to the rest of the UK in 2012.

Scotland exported £2.2bn refined petroleum products to the rest of the UK in 2012 and £3.7bn to other countries.

It exported £5.2bn natural gas to the rest of the UK and £1.2bn to other countries.

The Scottish Government said its work on Scottish oil and gas consumption and exports is at the development stage.