The Parliamentary question session centered on the issue of North Sea oil and gas licences and their impact on economic growth, specifically in Scotland. The debate highlighted opinions on the future of oil and gas, their role in the UK's energy strategy, and the transition towards cleaner energy solutions.
During the session, Ian Murray stressed the existing contributions of North Sea workers, pointing out the diverse energy mix needed to meet national targets, combining renewable, nuclear, and fossil-fuel energy sources. He implied governmental support for a gradual transition in the energy sector, encouraging investments in both traditional and emerging technologies, like hydrogen.
Projected annual oil and gas consumption by 2050 despite net-zero targets.
Sir Ashley Fox and Harriet Cross, both from the Conservative party, raised concerns about potentially negative economic implications of ceasing new oil and gas licences, emphasizing the need for domestic energy production to maintain energy security and economic vitality in the region.
Current domestic production capacity.
Labour members, including Tracy Gilbert and Gregor Poynton, advocated for a balance, emphasizing jobs and the strategic importance of clean energy transition endeavors, supporting investments in renewables and innovative projects like hydrogen, signaling optimism for job creation through diversification.
Potential Treasury income from continued North Sea operations.
Estimated economic growth from North Sea energy production until 2050.
Outcome
The outcome of this question session was a reinforcement of the UK government's commitment to balancing current reliance on oil and gas with future aspirations for cleaner energy. The discourse reinforced the importance of strategic investment to ensure energy security while addressing economic and employment concerns in Scotland and the wider UK.
Key Contributions
Inquired about the economic implications of not issuing new licences.
Cited an Offshore Energies UK report advocating for the continuing use of the UK's oil and gas resources.
Acknowledged the central role of North Sea workers and the existing energy mix.
Discussed the transformation of a local port for renewable energy investments.
Raised the importance of investing in new technologies like hydrogen for a just transition.
All content derived from official parliamentary records