Almost six in ten voters across Scotland back full development and extraction of North Sea oil and gas, according to new Scotland-wide polling, as job losses mount across the sector.
The findings from Survation, conducted for True North Advisors, show 58 per cent back full development, compared to just 13 per cent opposed, as industry leaders have linked the UK Government’s Energy Profits Levy (EPL) to waves of redundancies.
Introduced in 2022 during a period of exceptionally high prices, the levy is expected to remain in place until 2030, despite oil and gas prices having since returned to long-term norms.
UK Government figures show domestic oil and gas production is now at record low levels, increasing reliance on imported supply with higher lifecycle emissions and limited economic benefit. Meanwhile the Scottish survey underscores growing public concern about jobs, energy security and the economic impact of continued decline in domestic production.
Four months ahead of Scottish Parliament elections, public opinion is also clear on energy sourcing, with three quarters (75 per cent) saying the UK should meet as much demand as possible from domestic North Sea supply rather than imports. Meanwhile over 60 per cent agree that North Sea energy companies have a positive impact on the UK economy.
The UK currently maintains a ban on new exploration licences, alongside the continued application of the EPL. This contrasts with Norway, which this week announced the award of 57 new offshore oil and gas production licences, explicitly recognising the role of continued exploration in supporting jobs, economic value and energy security while managing a long-term production decline.
Data from the North Sea Transition Authority shows the UK still has billions of barrels of recoverable oil and gas in the North Sea, but a large proportion remains undeveloped due to investment and policy conditions.
Allister Thomas, Senior Energy Advisor at True North, said:
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“This polling underlines the widespread public support for our world-class oil and gas industry with a clear majority of voters recognising its immense contribution to the UK’s energy and economic security.
“The Energy Profits Levy has been in place since 2022, oil and gas prices have normalised, and the UK now also has a ban on new exploration – all while we remain heavily reliant on imports with higher emissions and limited economic benefit.
“Four months out from the Scottish Parliament elections, there is a clear gap between public sentiment and current policy. While renewables are critical to the long-term transition, it is economically and environmentally responsible to meet domestic demand from the North Sea in the meantime.”
