But its value slumped by almost a quarter to the lowest total recorded, according to new figures.

Despite the 21.4 per cent increase in production in 2015-16, Scottish Government statistics showed its sales value fell by £4.1 billion to £13.4bn – a drop of more than £10bn from two years ago.

The drop in sales value is due to “sustained low prices” for the commodities, said the Scottish Government, with prices having dropped to below $50 (£37) a barrel, compared to a high point in July 2008 of $147 (£111).

Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for the economy, jobs and fair work, said: “Although this remains a difficult time for the industry and its workforce, it is encouraging to note this increase in production as the industry adapts to the current period of low prices.

“Capital investment on oil and gas fields in Scottish waters was £10.2bn and the approximate sales value of oil and gas produced in Scotland is estimated to be £13.4bn.

“The UK Government retains control of the main economic and tax levers affecting the North Sea oil industry, though the Scottish Government continues to do all that it can to support the industry, including setting up the energy jobs task force that meets today for the 11th time in Aberdeen.

“Our support also includes £24.5 million for increased innovation and business-support measures and the £12m transition training fund, which offers grants to individuals to support their redeployment through retraining or further education.

“We will also maintain pressure on the Treasury to honour promises made in last March’s budget to use the UK Guarantees Scheme for oil and gas infrastructure to help secure new investment in assets of strategic importance.

“The Scottish Government strongly believes that the North Sea oil and gas sector can have a bright future for years to come. This, however, will continue to require a concerted effort from all stakeholders.”

Leading oil economists, professors Alex Russell and Peter Strachan, said the rise in production would be seen by the industry and regulators as a huge success, but “wearing less rose-coloured spectacles” the picture was “starkly different”.

They said: “The value of the oil produced has actually gone down by nearly a quarter from 2014-15 despite the over 20 per cent rise in production.

“Thousands and thousands of direct and indirect jobs have disappeared with every indication that job losses will continue in the future. Rates of pay and working conditions for contractors and drillers have worsened for rig workers. Why is the pain of cost-efficiency decisions not being spread across all stakeholders?

“But more importantly, it is pure delusion to imagine that focusing on increasing production when oil prices are at rock bottom will maximise anything apart from anxiety levels across oil industry employees. Oil will be produced at a loss and oil companies will get handed back taxes paid by them in previous years. The power brokers seem to have lost sight of the bigger economic picture. Yes, even rich Aberdeen has seen increases in users of food banks.

“There has to be a change in direction towards managing the future exploitation of the North Sea’s remaining oil and gas reserves. Decision-making needs to be taken away from vested interest groups.

“By all means consult with all stakeholders but where an industry can be pivotal to the future economic fortune of Scotland then full control over that industry’s activities in Scotland should rest with Holyrood and not Westminster.

“Unless and until that happens our own destiny is being determined not by us but by a London-centric Brexit UK Government.”