Support for North Sea oil fields approval

Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has voiced his support for the approval of six oil fields in the North Sea which he says will protect the UK’s energy supply and jobs rather than relying on imports.

Mr Duguid spoke during an urgent question from Green MP Caroline Lucas who called for production to be halted.

He pointed out that the six fields, including Rosebank situated to the west of Shetland, were not new and have been licenced for decades.

He added that these fields – and others – were already factored in to the UK Government’s ambitious 2050 net zero objectives as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.

Mr Duguid said: “It’s important to remember that these are not new oil fields despite the Greens trying to recklessly portray otherwise.

“While the UK Government is pioneering with the North Sea Transition Deal, sources like Rosebank will still be required to cope with the demand for oil in future years.

“It is far preferable for the UK’s needs to come from our domestic supply, supporting our own workers, rather than relying on imports whose sources may not be so responsibly recovered.

“While we continue with the energy transition to net zero, we must still protect our economy and the thousands of north-east jobs that are relying on these fields.”

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE