Cromarty Firth rig count rises to 17 as low oil prices hit home

Offshore drilling day rate — Oil rigs stacked in the Cromarty Firth.

The number of rigs anchored in the Cromarty Firth rose to 17 this week, as low oil prices continued to hit the oil and gas industry.

Port of Cromarty Firth (PCF) bosses hope the increase in vessel stacking will be short-lived.

A PCF spokeswoman said: “As travel restrictions are lifted and demand recovers, we expect the rigs will return to work. For any requiring maintenance or servicing they will likely undertake this work before they depart, which will create much-needed jobs.”