Scottish Independence Paper Proposes Oil Fueled Fund
A proposed new fund ‘would be a sustainable use of oil and gas revenues and would last for the first decade of independence’. A new prospectus paper detailing plans for Continue Reading
Scotland’s Budget Deficit Shrinks After Surge in Oil Revenue
Offshore supply ships at the Port of Aberdeen sea port in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. Scotland’s public spending deficit shrank after revenue from the North Sea oil industry jumped to the Continue Reading
Scotland’s Sturgeon says nearly ready to outline plan for independence vote
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday said she was nearly ready to give more details on how the nation’s devolved parliament could move ahead with a new independence referendum Continue Reading
Shell Gets Rights To Develop 5GW Wind Farm Off Scotland
Shell, ScottishPower secured joint offers for rights to develop large-scale floating wind farms as part of ScotWind leasing. Shell and ScottishPower have secured joint offers for seabed rights to develop Continue Reading
COP26: Hydrogen to meet 15% of Scottish energy needs by 2030
Builds on 2020 hydrogen policy statement GBP100 million fund to boost low-carbon hydrogen Scotland targets 5 GW of capacity by 2030 Scotland has launched a GBP100 million ($134 million) fund Continue Reading
Scotland’s Sturgeon Asks Johnson to Rethink Oil, Gas Permits
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called on the U.K. government to reconsider oil and gas licenses, just days after a United Nations panel warned of dire consequences for the planet without drastic Continue Reading
Norway’s Equinor bids in Scottish offshore wind lease round
Equinor (EQNR.OL) said on Monday it submitted a bid for offshore floating wind power project in Scotland’s leasing round as the Norwegian energy firm continues to develop its North Sea Continue Reading
Renewable firms, oil majors among bidders in Scotland’s wind lease tender
Renewable firms, oil majors, and investors said they would bid into Scotland’s offshore wind leasing round which closed on Friday, signaling the huge demand globally for the rights to build Continue Reading
ScottishPower, Shell bid to build large floating wind farms in Scottish waters
Multiple bids submitted to ScotWind Leasing Crown Estate to award capacity early 2022 Carbon Trust details ‘significant challenges’ ScottishPower and Shell have jointly bid to develop the world’s first large-scale Continue Reading
Scottish port, Norway’s Gen2 Energy sign green hydrogen MOU
Port of Cromarty Firth eyes imports from Norwegian hydro producer Imports to complement own green hydrogen production from mid-2023 Aims to become first transshipment hub for Gen2 Energy output Scotland Continue Reading
Sturgeon: Scotland independence vote matter of when, not if
Scotland’s leader told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Sunday that a second Scottish independence referendum is “a matter of when, not if,” after her party won its fourth straight parliamentary Continue Reading
Scottish Enterprise project converting train to hydrogen power
Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland and the Hydrogen Accelerator, based at the University of St Andrews, have appointed Arcola Energy and a consortium of industry leaders in hydrogen fuel cell integration, Continue Reading
ScottishPower sets up hydrogen business, targets industry, transport, food
ScottishPower has set up a dedicated green hydrogen business with first projects launched next year to focus on high-temperature industrial processes, heavy transport and food and drink sectors, the Iberdrola-owned Continue Reading
Scottish Oil Workers Happy To Join The Renewable Revolution
More than three-quarters of oil workers in Scotland have considered retraining to find jobs in the renewables industries as 80 percent of Scottish oil and gas workers believe that their Continue Reading
Scotland launches 10 GW offshore wind leasing round
Crown Estate Scotland has launched the first round of offshore wind leasing in Scottish waters for a decade, with a draft target of up to 10 GW installed, it said Continue Reading
UK wind moratorium ‘destroying jobs, projects’: Scottish Renewables
The UK government’s block on onshore wind development continues to threaten Scottish jobs in the sector, association Scottish Renewables said Friday. Some 47 wind farms with planning permission are unable Continue Reading
Greenpeace Activists Stop BP Rig
Three Greenpeace activists stopped a BP exploration rig that was supposed to leave this weekend from Scotland to an offshore oil field. In a Tweet, one of the activists who identified Continue Reading
Shell plans to drill 10 UK wells a year in expansion drive
London — Shell plans to drill 10 wells a year offshore the UK as operator over the next three years, including development and exploration wells, as it builds its North Continue Reading
BP’s West of Shetland fields propelling UK growth
BP is well on track to meet its goal of producing 200,000 b/d of oil equivalent offshore the UK by next year as its revamped Clair field performs better than Continue Reading
Dismantling the oil industry: rough North Sea waters test new ideas
Scottish marine salvage group Ardent is adapting the tanks it used to refloat the Costa Concordia, the cruise ship wrecked off the Italian coast in 2012, to decommission North Sea Continue Reading
Fuelling independence? Scotland’s oil hub embraces green energy
Scotland’s leader Nicola Sturgeon launched on Friday a major renewable energy project boasting the world’s most powerful wind turbines, which she hopes will also propel the independence ambitions of her Continue Reading
Scotland’s Oil Industry Is Returning To Life
Scotland’s oil industry is beginning to show signs of recovery after the most recent downturn, a local port authority said, with a spokeswoman noting that “We have more rigs in Continue Reading
Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm close to operational
Beatrice, the largest wind farm off the coast of Scotland, is closer to working now that cables are installed for the grid. Image courtesy of Scottish energy company SSE April Continue Reading
World’s first floating wind farm put to the test
Put to the test with high winds and strong seas, Norway’s Statoil said a floating wind farm in Scottish waters shows promise for deepwater installations. During its first three months Continue Reading
Oil, Gas Will Help Scottish Economy Grow in 2018
Scotland’s economy is expected to continue growing in 2018, supported by an improved outlook for the oil and gas sector. Scotland’s economy is expected to continue growing in 2018, supported Continue Reading
Scottish oil and gas prohibition questioned
The shale division of British business group INEOS said it was petitioning for a judicial review of a Scottish decision to sideline onshore oil and gas work. Scotland has one Continue Reading
Aberdeen to Lose 5,500 More Energy Jobs, Council Document Highlights
An Aberdeen City Council document highlights that 5,500 further jobs are expected to be lost in the city’s energy sector by 2027. An Aberdeen City Council document has highlighted that Continue Reading
UK, Scotland: The North Sea Ain’t Done Yet
UK and Scottish government representatives see a bright future. The North Sea oil and gas industry isn’t done yet, that’s the message UK and Scottish government representatives want to get Continue Reading
Twilight years: is the UK entering its last decade of oil and gas production?
The Edinburgh Geological Society was formed in 1834 with the aim of stimulating public interest in geology. Issue 62 of its magazine, The Edinburgh Geologist , published in October, certainly Continue Reading
Forties Pipeline Could Remain Shuttered For Weeks
The Forties oil and gas pipeline shutdown on Monday, caused energy prices in the United Kingdom to spike in the afternoon, according to a new report by Reuters . Brent Continue Reading
Oil, Gas to Continue to Play Key Role in North East Scotland Growth
The oil and gas industry will continue to play a key role in North East Scotland’s growth, Derek Leith, EY office managing partner for Aberdeen, has confirmed. The oil and Continue Reading
Crack in U.K. Oil Pipe Roils Crude Trading From U.S. to Asia
Forties Pipeline System halted; repairs to take 2-3 weeks Interest in alternative supply from Asia, U.S. seen boosted The effects of a hairline crack in one of the world’s most Continue Reading
Scotland To Permanently Ban Fracking
The Scottish government said on Tuesday that it wants to extend a current moratorium on fracking into a permanent full ban , with a final vote likely taking place at Continue Reading
Scotland to ‘phase out’ new petrol and diesel cars by 2032
Nicola Sturgeon plans to ‘massively expand’ electric charging points in Scotland The Scottish government has pledged to phase out new petrol and diesel cars and vans across Scotland by 2032, Continue Reading
How Would Scottish Independence Affect the Region’s Oil, Gas Industry?
Rigzone outlines how Indyref2 could shape the region’s oil and gas sector. Scottish independence from the UK could lead to fewer Scottish oil and gas jobs, according to Airswift CEO Continue Reading
Scotland’s Oil, Gas Sector Emerging From Downturn
Scotland’s oil and gas sector is emerging from the downturn, with people getting back into work and businesses growing in confidence, says SNP Deputy Leader Angus Robertson. Scotland’s oil and Continue Reading
Scotland keeps eye on EU, touts oil and gas performance
While keeping its eyes on the European Union, the Scottish government touted the performance of North Sea energy in the era of lower oil prices. The government said the oil Continue Reading
Sturgeon announces new Scottish independence drive after ‘seismic’ Brexit vote
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched a new independence drive on Friday, urging supporters to join the country’s “biggest ever political listening exercise” to gauge public appetite for a new Continue Reading
Scotland: Oil, gas keys in London’s hands
While Scotland is confident about the wealth left in the North Sea, it’s London that holds sway over the oil and gas sector, a Cabinet secretary said. “The Scottish government Continue Reading
Scotland investing more in offshore wind
Scottish government setting aside funding to push the development of offshore wind energy technolgy. File Photo by Teun van den Dries/Shutterstock EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 20 (UPI) — The Scottish government Continue Reading
Scotland meets climate goals early
The Scottish government said Tuesday it’s reduced its greenhouse gas emissions to the point that it met its goals for 2020 years ahead of schedule. “Scotland is making outstanding progress Continue Reading
Bank of Scotland warns of further North Sea pain after ‘severe’ oil slump
North Sea oil companies are poised to make even deeper cuts to the embattled workforce this year as almost half say that costs need to fall further to manage the Continue Reading
Scotland Bans Fracking, Forever
The Scottish Parliament voted to ban fracking countrywide on Wednesday, making a moratorium on the controversial technique a permanent affair. The narrow vote can after the legislative body temporary outlawed Continue Reading
Scottish Minister Worries Remaining North Sea Oil Won’t Be Extracted
Scotland’s finance minister has told the British government he is concerned that some of Britain’s remaining North Sea oil will never be recovered as companies active in the area have Continue Reading
Scotland wants tax support for North Sea energy
The Scottish government said it would call on its British counterparts to create a favorable climate for North Sea investments in exploration and production. “There is no doubt the industry Continue Reading
Wind energy output ‘could power most Scots homes’
In six out of 12 months, wind generated enough power to supply more than 100 per cent of household needs, claims WWF Scotland. Picture: TSPL Wind power output hit record Continue Reading
Scotland frets over oil, but posts economic gains
Scottish government boasts of steady economic growth, but expresses concerns about external factors like the low price of crude oil. File Photo by UPI/Maryam Rahmanian EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 21 (UPI) — The Scottish government said Friday it was on a streak of slow but steady economic growth, but cautioned risks remain from low oil prices and a weak Asia. Scotland reported growth of 0.6 percent during the first quarter of the year, which it said signaled one of the longest continuous streaks of growth since 2001. "Today’s State of the Economy report shows almost three years of uninterrupted growth," Deputy First Minister John Swinney said in a statement. "The most recent figures for this year show all main sectors of the economy recorded growth." Though fiscal year 2016, the government said it expects to see $7 billion in new infrastructure investment. Despite the mid-term growth expectations, the government said […]
Scotland examines next steps after coal plant closure
The Scottish government blames British policies for pushing utility company to decide to close coal-powered plant next year. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 18 (UPI) — The Scottish government said Tuesday it was setting up a panel to look into the impact of the closure of the Longannet coal power plant, the country’s last. "ScottishPower’s decision to close Longannet in March 2016 is deeply regrettable and has far-reaching consequences for Scotland," Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said in a statement. "This is a worrying time for Longannet workers, and the Scottish government and its agencies will do everything possible to support the 230 directly employed staff who will be affected by this announcement." The utility said the combination of high carbon taxes and high transmission charges meant it had to shut down the coal plant by next year. With 46 years in service, Longannet is the […]
Scotland woos Chinese investors to energy sector
Scottish delegation in Beijing in an effort to draw Chinese investors to North Sea oil and gas sector. Photo by James Jones Jr./Shutterstock BEIJING, July 29 (UPI) — A Scottish delegation on an official trip to Beijing said they wanted to draw Chinese investors into the North Sea oil and natural gas sector. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led a delegation to Beijing , meeting with senior representatives from three of the largest Chinese oil companies. "I made it clear to management from the firms that Scotland wants to work with them and seize on the vast opportunities that remain in the North Sea," she said in a statement. "Scotland is open for business and investment and partnership working with firm from countries like China will further cement our industry reputation for international leadership." Data published last month by the Scottish government said the North Sea remains the largest […]
Scotland expects North Sea production gains
Scottish government sees production of oil and natural gas increasing in North Sea basins. File photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 25 (UPI) — Though the industry is in a downturn, the Scottish government said Thursday it expected production from the North Sea to increase by more than 10 percent. Data published by the Scottish government said the North Sea remains the largest oil producer and second largest natural gas producer in Europe. Scottish Deputy First Minister John Swinney said there’s "no disputing" the industry is depressed, but production is expected to increase by as much as 17 percent by 2019. "These figures show that considerable opportunities to extend production remain in the UKCS and that, properly supported, the industry can boost production over the next five years," Swinney said. A January report from analysis firm Wood Mackenzie said exploration activity in 2014 was off 18 percent from […]