Billionaire industrialist Sir Ian Wood has hit out at politicians who have failed to support the controversial Cambo oil and gas development, warning it will create an “adverse investment environment” with thousands of jobs on the line.
The move was claimed as a victory for environmental campaigners who have used Cambo as a key climate change battleground in the run up to and since the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has faced claims she has “abandoned” the North Sea oil and gas industry after confirming her opposition to the scheme, saying at Holyrood last month: “I don’t think that Cambo should get the green light”.
© PASir Ian Wood, who is chairman of ETZ ltd, said he urged politicians to “reflect carefully on their public statements on oil and gas and the impact they have on investment in the industry”.
Future prosperity ‘depends on it’
He added: “We must not create an adverse investment environment at this crucial moment in our energy transition journey.
“The future prosperity of our region and the country’s ability to meet net zero, depends on it.”
Shell, which holds a 30% stake in the Cambo project, dealt a surprise blow when it announced it was pulling out.
It said its reasons not to proceed were because “the economic case for investment in this project is not strong enough”, as well as the potential for delays.
Siccar Point said it was “disappointed” at Shell’s change of position but that it remained “confident about the qualities of a project” and its ability to go ahead.
In a statement, the firm’s chief executive Jonathan Roger said: “We will continue to engage with the UK Government and wider stakeholders on the future development of Cambo,” adding: “Cambo remains critical to the UK’s energy security and economy.”
Fervent hopes for ‘thousands of jobs’
Sir Ian also said Shell’s decision was disappointing but that he “fervently” hoped it would go ahead.
He welcomed “Siccar Point’s continued commitment to the development and the very good reasons they have given as to why it must go ahead”.
“We fervently hope that it does as it will create thousands of jobs across the north east of Scotland both directly and across our supply chain and make a significant contribution to meeting our energy requirements,” he said.
“It has been made patently clear for some time we cannot put ourselves in the position of reducing domestic production only to increase carbon heavy imports from overseas. This would be entirely counter productive, both environmentally and economically.
“The skills, experience and infrastructure of a world class oil and gas industry will play a crucial role in accelerating energy transition and meeting net zero.
“We must support the industry in meeting this ambition and it is essential the Scottish and UK Governments do too.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “This is a commercial decision that has been taken independently by Shell.”