Thursday 20 November 2014

Oil & Gas UK congratulates Nicola Sturgeon on official appointment as First Minister

Oil & Gas UK congratulates Nicola Sturgeon on becoming leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland. As the largest trade association for the offshore oil and gas industry in the UK, representing over 500 members, Oil & Gas UK enjoys a strong relationship with the Scottish Government and hopes this will continue.

Oil & Gas UK‘s chief executive Malcolm Webb commented:

“We congratulate the First Minister on her appointment and look forward to working alongside Nicola Sturgeon and her administration in securing the future of our offshore oil and gas industry.

“With up to 24 billion barrels still to be recovered, there should be a strong future for the North Sea. To ensure our sector remains a driving force in Britain’s economy, we look forward to working alongside the UK and Scottish Governments to maximise recovery from the UK Continental Shelf through fiscal, regulatory and industry measures which make good economic sense.”

“The Scottish Government is responsible for many of the business powers affecting our members in Scotland. Almost half of the jobs supported by the oil and gas industry are in Scotland, and Aberdeen is widely regarded as the oil and gas capital of Europe. I look forward to meeting with the First Minister, to discuss this vitally important sector.”

Oil and gas provides some 70 per cent of the UK’s total primary energy, a figure which, according to the Department of Energy, will remain unchanged at least until 2030. Currently the UK offshore industry supplies 50 per cent of this requirement. It is vital this indigenous contribution is maximised and imports are therefore minimised. Imported oil and gas creates no UK jobs, pays no UK taxes and only further burdens the UK balance of trade.

The offshore oil and gas industry will remain hugely important for the country for many years to come, not only though it’s economic contribution and through providing a secure energy supply, but by supporting jobs in Scotland and throughout the UK.

Ends

Note to editors

For further information, please contact press & PR manager Laura Ackland on 020 7802 2404 or lackland@oilandgasuk.co.uk.

Oil & Gas UK is the leading representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry. Its growing membership, which comprises oil and gas producers and contractor companies, now numbers more than 500.