Copter safety measures “realistic”, claims Aviation MP
A UK Government minister has played down concerns about new helicopter safety rules which will require 28,000 offshore workers to be retrained.
Clarke: Scots oil firms can go nuts in Brazil as demand for North Sea skills increases
A UK Government minister has predicted that north-east oil and gas firms are on the brink of cashing in on multibillion-pound investments in Brazil.
Hundreds of jobs to be created as North Sea firms back new HPHT allowance
Tax changes in the Budget have already triggered plans to create hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas jobs.
Five-year wait for Super Puma inquiry ‘was unacceptable’, admits minister
A UK Government minister has admitted it was “unacceptable” for the families of 16 men who died in a North Sea helicopter crash to have to wait five years for a fatal accident inquiry.
Ukraine crisis could spark North Sea gas demand increase
The Ukraine crisis could lead to higher energy bills for UK consumers and increased demand for North Sea gas.
Industry body ‘hopeful’ over bareboat tax resolution
Trade body Oil and Gas UK has said it remains “hopeful” of resolving a dispute with the Treasury over plans which could cost the offshore industry £1billion.
PM visits platform to stress industry’s strength within UK
David Cameron was flown out to an oil and gas platform 150 miles offshore yesterday as the “vital” North Sea industry took centre stage in the independence battle.
UK ministers descend on Aberdeen for Cabinet meeting
UK ministers arrived in Aberdeen today for the first ever Cabinet meeting in the city.
Industry concerned over new copter safety rules
Oil and gas industry chiefs raised major concerns last night about the impact of strict new safety rules governing North Sea helicopters.
Yes vote would have ‘no impact’ on North Sea industry, says ex-BP boss
Former BP boss Tony Hayward has dismissed his successor’s warnings about Scottish independence, insisting there would be no impact on North Sea oil and gas.
Upgraded MoD radar system could open doors to more Scots windfarms
Military chiefs may have opened the floodgates to scores more windfarm schemes in the north and north-east by upgrading their radar systems.
Chancellor to miss Aberdeen cabinet meeting ahead of Budget
Chancellor George Osborne is expected to miss the UK Cabinet’s first-ever meeting in the north-east next week because of a diary clash.
Boost for Peterhead carbon capture project as Davey set to sign off study
The north-east’s hopes of leading the world in a lucrative clean-energy technology will receive a major boost from UK ministers next week.
Setback for Peterhead CCS project after new delay to £1bn funding package
Plans to build a world-leading clean-energy project in the north-east have been dealt a major blow by fresh delays to a £1billion support package from Westminster.
North Sea one of world’s best sites for carbon capture, study reveals
The North Sea is one of the “best places in the world” to develop a low-carbon technology which could slash £82 a year from family power bills, a new study has found.
MP reveals he took on energy committee role after Parkinson’s disease diagnosis
When a north-east MP was thrust into the centre of one of last year’s biggest political rows, only a handful of people knew that his life had recently changed forever.
Yes vote would be ‘fatal’ for North Sea oil and gas, warns Fallon
Exclusive: The UK’s energy minister has warned that Scottish independence would be “absolutely fatal” for the North Sea oil and gas industry. Watch our video interview here.
Peterhead CCS contract could be signed within weeks
The UK’s energy minister is hoping to sign off a contract for advanced design work on a carbon capture and storage plant at Peterhead power station in February.
3.6m North Sea helicopter trips in just five years, new figures reveal
Workers in the North Sea oil and gas industry have made more than 3.6million helicopter trips in just five years.
Pilots to accuse regulators of safety failings over North Sea helicopter flights
Helicopter pilots will accuse regulators today of failing to ensure adequate safety in the oil and gas industry.
Oil and gas industry set for zero-hours contracts probe
MPs investigating the use of controversial zero-hours contracts are planning to probe the North Sea oil and gas sector, it can be revealed.
Tax break hint for offshore exploration after industry fears
The prime minister has dropped a major hint that the looming Budget could include new tax breaks to boost North Sea exploration work and safeguard thousands of jobs.
MPs to hear helicopter safety evidence next week
A powerful committee of MPs will travel to Aberdeen next week to take evidence on North Sea helicopter safety.
Urgent measures demanded as MPs back call to avert North Sea ‘exploration crisis’
The UK Government was under growing pressure last night to take action to avert an “exploration crisis” that could risk thousands of jobs in the North Sea.
Government to consider energy bill cut for islands
Energy Minister Michael Fallon pledged yesterday to consider calls to cut energy bills on the islands by creating special domestic markets.