SNP leader comes under fire after speaking out against Cambo saying it ‘should not get the green light’.
Following weeks of pressure from climate-activists, First Minister Nichola Sturgeon has declared there should be no more North Sea drilling, contradicting her position during the 2014 independence referendum, and the statement recently made by her Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson who said that new drilling would be allowed in an independent Scotland. Taken at face value, an end to North Sea drilling would effectively signal the end of North Sea oil.
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Her comments come as a shock to the thousands of offshore workers who are left feeling betrayed and uncertain.
Environmental activists have welcomed her remarks after organisations like Greenpeace had chastised her for sitting on the fence, while Friends of the Earth suggested she was more interested in photo ops with Greta Thunberg than making actual change.
Industry leaders expressed surprise at Ms Sturgeons new position, warning that the end of domestic production would do nothing to quell demand and create a stronger reliance on imports from other nations.
This is the first time Ms Sturgeon has spoken against Cambo, adding “I don’t think we can go on extracting oil and gas forever, and I don’t think we can continue to give the go-ahead to new oil fields.”
“I have set out a proposal for a climate assessment and I think the presumption would be that Cambo could not and should not pass any rigorous climate assessment.” Over 100,000 people in Scotland are reliant on the oil industry to provide for their families.
Siccar Point Energy, who co-own the Cambo oil field with Shell were dishearted by the First Ministers’ comments.
Jonathan Roger, CEO of Siccar Point Energy said: “Cambo would produce 50% less emissions from the outset than the average UK field and is one of the first to go through the regulator’s stringent Net Zero Stewardship process.
“The UK’s production is in a huge decline. Without new fields we will import even more during the transition to new energy sources, which would have a greater carbon footprint. Cambo is important for UK energy security, but represents only 0.68% of new volumes expected to be approved globally this year.
“Whilst the decision rests with the UK Government, Cambo is significant for Scotland. It would create over 1,000 jobs and support many thousands more in the supply chain. Cambo is already accounted for in the net zero plans laid out by the Climate Change Committee, Oil & Gas Authority and Office of Budget Responsibility.
“Saying no to new UK oil and gas, while other neighbouring countries such as Norway continue to develop new fields, denies workers who keep our lights on and businesses running the chance of a fair transition.”
