UK Energy Minister John Hayes has promised Press and Journal readers he will become a regular visitor to the oil capital of Europe.
Mr Hayes had not set foot in Aberdeen since taking office in last September’s reshuffle – but yesterday pledged to be in the city more frequently than his predecessor Charles Hendry.
He gave the guarantee after being quizzed about the six-month delay in making his first trip to the centre of the UK’s booming offshore industry.
Mr Hayes was speaking during a tour of a training platform at ASET, Aberdeen’s international oil and gas training academy, before a meeting with oil and gas sector leaders.
The minister said steering the UK Government’s energy bill through the Westminster parliament had been his preoccupation.
But he added: “I’ll make this guarantee, this assurance, that I’ll be up more times in a year than Charles Hendry.”
Mr Hayes said he was “disproportionately” interested in the oil and gas industry and wanted to counter any impression that it was not a top priority for the UK Government.
He added: “One of the messages I broadcast regularly, both here and elsewhere, is that the North Sea has a long life ahead of it.
“It’s very important to realise that, through enhanced extraction and new discoveries, there is a bright future ahead for oil and gas.”
Malcolm Webb, chief executive of industry body Oil and Gas UK, said: “We will be delighted to see our UK energy minister visit Aberdeen at such frequency.
“The secretary of state (Ed Davey) said only a few weeks ago that over 70% of the UK’s primary energy demand may still be filled by oil and gas into the 2040s.
“We at Oil and Gas UK look forward to working with Mr Hayes to make sure the oil and gas industry continues to thrive in the UK and deliver benefits to the British public for very many years to come.”
Martin Sisley, managing director of Ocean Installer UK, said: “Oil and gas may potentially be the only growth sector in the UK, and the need for maximum effort and support is required from government to maintain growth, or better still accelerate it.”
Robert Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is essential for there to be regular dialogue between industry and policy-makers, particularly when the government is working on its future energy strategy.
“We are therefore pleased that the minister has given a commitment to make regular visits to the north-east at a time when investment in the UK Continental Shelf is increasing and companies based here also continue to develop their international reach.”
Former minister Mr Hendry, who was well known for his detailed knowledge of the energy sector, made 10 trips to Aberdeen and the North Sea during his two-and-a-half years in office.
Mr Hayes will have to make an average of five visits a year if he want to beat his predecessor’s record. With 13 different politicians holding the post of energy minister over the past 15 years, Mr Hayes was keen to point out that he would be around long enough as minister to make good on his promise.
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