Operations director of INEOS Shale, Tom Pickering, says that he believes the move to ban fracking by the Scottish Government ‘is a sad day for evidence led decision-making’.
Reacting to the decision in the last hour by the SNP-led Scottish Government to impose a ban on fracking based on numbers from a public consultation, Pickering said: “Today’s decision is a slight on the dedicated professionalism that Scottish workers have pioneered in the North Sea.
“We lead the world in exploration safety, but I fear we will start to see large numbers of Scottish workers leaving the country to find work as the North Sea oil and gas industry continues to decline.”
The public consultation asked for the opinion of over 60,000 respondents in Scotland, receiving a 99% result against fracking.
INEOS were respnsible for the first ever shipment of shale to these shores and have been very voal over the last few days over the potential for a ban in Scotland.
INEOS stated that they believe today’s announcement will cost Scotland an estimated 3,100 jobs.
On hearing of the announcement, Tom Pickering, said: “It is a sad day for those of us who believe in evidence-led decision making. The Scottish Government has turned its back on a potential manufacturing and jobs renaissance and lessened Scottish academia’s place in the world by ignoring its findings.”
“Natural gas will be needed by Scotland for the foreseeable future and production from the North Sea continues to decline. This decision, which beggar’s belief means gas becomes a cost for the Scottish economy instead of an ongoing source of income.
“It speaks volumes about Scottish leadership on the world stage and sends a clear and negative message to any future investors in Scotland. Expert reports have clearly stated that this technology can be applied safely and responsibly – but it will be England that reaps the benefits.”
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