Keith Brown to meet with oil and gas sector to discuss support for industry

Keith Brown and Paul Wheelhouse will today meet with energy industry bodies to discuss how to support the oil and gas industry following the collapse in prices.

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy Keith Brown and Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse will meet with oil companies Nexen and EnQuest, as well as trade unions, trade body Oil and Gas UK and regulator the Oil and Gas Authority.

Ahead of the meeting the Cabinet Secretary pointed to the Energy Jobs Taskforce, created by the Scottish Government last year, as proof of the SNP’s commitment to supporting the North Sea oil and gas industry.

RELATED CONTENT

SNP pledges tougher emissions targets

Scottish Parliament votes to ban fracking

Stop Climate Chaos makes last minute plea for SNP to retain Air Passenger Duty

Brown said: “The Scottish Government strongly believes that the North Sea oil and gas sector can have a bright future for years to come.

“Given the considerable challenges faced by industry, this will require a concerted effort by all stakeholders and today’s visit will help me to play as strong a role as possible in that process.”

Brown said he was keen to hear views on how to build resilience within the industry.

He said: “We are working to do all that we can within our powers to support the industry. The UK Government, however, retains the key economic levers affecting the sector.

“In the Budget, the UK Government committed to consider proposals for using the UK Guarantees Scheme for oil and gas infrastructure where it could help secure new investment in assets of strategic importance. We are yet to see the progress that is crucial in this area. Sustaining critical infrastructure in the North Sea is a key priority and the UK Government must act quickly and decisively to deliver this commitment.

“The oil and gas industry is an important part of the Scottish economy and the downturn has had a significant impact on the industry and its workforce. Today’s visit, so soon after having been appointed in my new role, demonstrates that both Paul Wheelhouse and I will continue to engage closely with the industry, trade union and regulator to overcome the current challenges and secure a long term future for the sector.”