Independence row shows need for sensible debate about oil future
I've avoided getting involved to date in the arguments about future oil revenues if Scotland votes for independence next year and am still reluctant to do so.
Opinion
Time to energise the nation’s future
In recent years, the UK economy has faced some of the most difficult times in its history.
Brian Wilson: Forecasts mere back-of-envelope fiction?
It was inevitable that the question of oil revenues would feature prominently in the Scottish constitutional debate; witness the various and widely reported lively exchanges last month.
Jeremy Cresswell: Argentina ramps up Falklands pressure
What is the value of the Falklands to London today, bearing in mind that the islanders have the right to determine their own future; it is they who will harvest tax revenues and royalties from Big Oil and NOT the British Treasury?
Dick Winchester: Indy vote will play crucial role in industry future
The outcome of the referendum on Scottish independence next year will be critical in determining how the future of energy and particularly oil and gas pans out.
Answering the questions to make Scotland marine energy leader
It would be fair to say that when it comes to renewables potential Scotland is up there with the world’s best.
Drilling engineers should look to the skies for solutions
At 14 years old, I took my first flight over stunning Scotland, which sparked a life-long passion for aviation and in 2006 led to me building my own Spitfire aircraft.
Zero is only acceptable target for hydrocarbon spills
In the interest of continuous safety improvements we need to demonstrate an interest in every employee’s safety within the industry – not just our own.
The taxing issue of unlocking the UK’s shale gas potential
The UK's shale gas reserves have featured prominently in the news in recent weeks following several important announcements which have sought to illustrate and, ultimately, unlock the potential of this energy source locked deep beneath our feet.
Industry needs more information on strike prices for renewables
It is hoped that the strike prices will help give investors the confidence needed to provide the early investment need for major new infrastructure projects, writes Keith Patterson of Brodies.
Industry can bring huge benefits to the whole of society
Fergus Ewing, Energy Minister, and Ian Couper, Energy North chief executive, give their views on the steering group.
Piper memorial hardened our resolve to continue safety improvements
Listening to safety workers as they read aloud the names inscribed in granite beneath Sue Jane Taylor's Piper Alpha memorial, I was overcome with emotion, writes Les Linklater.
Future of National Grid is stalling renewable energy’s future
This week Ofgem will examine a whole range of options – put forward by a specialist panel – on how generators might be charged in the future, with the opportunity to make a more level playing field for renewables, writes Martin McAdam
Oil and gas companies must consider implications of offshore tax changes
The Government has published its consultation document on the use of offshore employment intermediaries - and this has significant implications for employers in the oil and gas sector, writes Sean Saluja.
Energy industry must not let supply chain become blind spot
Ken Milliken of KPMG explores why oil and gas companies could learn lessons about reputational and commercial fallout from high profile supply chain breakdowns like this year’s horsemeat scandal...
Inquiry needed into failure of Scotland’s coal sector
The SNP’s energy minister Fergus Ewing is not listening to reasonable requests for a public inquiry into the events that led to the failure of the coal sector, warns Willie Rennie.
Obesity may prove a big issue for oil and gas employers
Obesity is a big problem for the oil & gas sector and, like the size of offshore workers, it's growing, writes Verity Clark. But what does a heavier workforce mean for an employer?
Time to get serious about skills
With so many voices out there, the landscape has become confusing for those trying to get into the industry, writes David Doig.
Corruption still widespread in oil industry
There is enormous pressure in many countries to make illegal or undisclosed payments in order to win exploration licences, writes Tony Mackay.
Transparency in extractive industries gaining ground
While EU Directives are not meant to make life more difficult, certain countries may prohibit disclosure, causing some companies to have no option but to withdraw from projects, warns Penelope Warne.
Gulf of Guinea ranked world’s piracy hotspot
A report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in June officially ranked the Gulf of Guinea as the world's most piracy-infested waters.
UK is open for business, not avoidance
Tax avoidance and tax evasion have become sustained banner headlines, writes Derek Leith.
Brian Wilson: The challenge of getting Energy Bill right
When the Energy Bill was published in May last year, I wrote here that it seemed a decent attempt to address the intractable challenge of how to incentivise the switch to low carbon generation while at the same time keeping the lights on and the bills just about affordable.
Dick Winchester: Oh joy – another North Sea review
Ed Davey - UK secretary of state for energy and climate change - has made my day. I was mulling over what to write about for the July issue of Energy but then up popped Ed with the announcement that he's going to have another review of how to maximise the economic benefits of North Sea oil and gas.
Jeremy Cresswell: EC225 ‘band-aid’ requires a definitive answer
Last Friday, a team from Eurocopter met the North Sea oil and gas industry's Step Change Helicopter Safety Steering Group to discuss a set of measures that the company feels will get currently grounded EC225 helicopters back to work.