THE SNP have accused the UK Government of putting Scotland's energy security "at risk" by not permitting new drilling licenses.
It comes after The Scotsman heard from Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), an industry body formerly known as Oil and Gas UK, about how the UK's key supply routes are vulnerable in a geopolitical era of rising uncertainty.
Enrique Cornejo, the group's energy policy director, urged Andy Burnham, who is expected to take over from Keir Starmer as Prime Minister in coming weeks, to prioritise domestic production of gas over imports.
He said the UK risks taking “for granted” a direct pipeline from Norway, that provides around 43% of the UK's gas supply, the same proportion that comes from domestic production.
The remaining amount, around 20%, comes largely from the United States and from across the Middle East.
He added: “If we continue down this pathway, we will continue to over-rely on imports, particularly of oil and gas. We’re seeing what’s happening in the Middle East with geopolitics. It may seem, for some, the right choice to think we can rely on Norwegian imports of gas.
“About 40% of our gas already comes from Norway, about the same that comes from domestic UK [production]. The key here is that we can’t take that Norwegian gas for granted.”
While the Conservatives, Reform UK and now the SNP have called on further drilling, using the war in Iran and the oil price shock that has come from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to justify why the UK's oil and gas reserves should be further exploited, experts have warned that the prospect of security from the North Sea is "sheer fantasy".
Speaking to The National previously, Dr Anupama Sen, co-author and head of policy engagement at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, explained: “The idea that draining the North Sea would make the UK more energy secure or significantly save on household bills is sheer fantasy.
“We show that regardless of the remaining lifetime of North Sea oil and gas, a ‘drill baby drill’ approach to extraction would actually cost households more money versus continuing on our path to clean energy.”
Research has shown that the North Sea is a declining basin. What is left buried under the waters off Scotland is running out, and what’s left is getting harder, and more expensive to extract.
Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, which has conducted research into the economics of the North Sea, explained that the North Sea is a mature basin with production in “long-term decline” and that most of the production is now “in more difficult waters”.
“The long-term future of the North Sea oil and gas industry is kind of dealing with the realities of the geology and just the fact that this is the way it is,” he added.
“Nobody should be fooled into thinking that this high price that we're seeing at the moment somehow will lead to a revival in the North Sea. I don't think anybody would believe that.
"I'm afraid it's another example of the risks of being dependent on volatile markets.”
Despite this, and the SNP's previous objection to new drilling licenses, Graham Leadbitter, the party's energy spokesperson, slammed Westminster for putting "our energy security in danger".
Energy is a reserved issue, meaning Westminster is responsible for granting new licenses, as well as managing financial levers like the energy profits levy.
He said: "Westminster has put our energy security in danger and at the same time has ruined jobs across Scotland. That’s the fact of their control over our oil and gas.
“There is a geo-political context at play here that makes any discussion around our oil and gas all the more vital – the North Sea is crucial to our energy security.
“It makes zero sense to wreck oil and gas jobs in Scotland to support jobs on the other side of the world at a higher carbon cost while weakening sanctions on Russia.
“We have a moral responsibility to support our allies across Europe while our vast resources should mean lower energy bills in Scotland, Scottish jobs supported and the supply chains that will deliver renewables jobs protected.”
SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, Jack Middleton, has also hit out at the Labour Government’s “pig-headed approach to our offshore industry”, arguing that it “has weakened our energy security while destroying jobs across Scotland, especially here in the North East.
"There can be no serious discussion about Scotland’s energy that does not recognise the geopolitical context and just how fundamental our North Sea is to our energy security.
The SNP had previously voiced concern over new North Sea licenses, and campaigned in favour of a green transition away from oil and gas. However, the party's stance has shifted in recent months, particularly in the run-up to the Aberdeen South by-election, which the Conservatives won through their own pro-oil campaign.
Writing in The National, former SNP MP Richard Thomson said the party should not abandon it's renewable ambitions, saying: "Yes, the Aberdeen by-election raises important issues about jobs and the energy economy.
“The right response is not to bow to big oil and those in the Labour and Tory parties who want to go backwards on climate action.”
The Scottish Greens have also called on both Government's to focus on transitioning towards renewable energy sources.
Speaking to The National following a report from environmental organisation Oceana UK, which found marine ecosystems are at risk while decommissioning of North Sea infrastructure is delayed, Kristopher Leask MSP said the oil and gas industry is contributing not only to the climate crisis but also the erosion of the UK's ecosystems.
He said: "The oil and gas industry isn’t just fuelling the climate crisis – it’s destroying vital ecosystems and polluting our seas.
“Decommissioning must happen properly and without delay to protect marine habitats and reduce further environmental damage."
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Oil and gas production will be with us for decades to come, and we will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan – while actively scaling up clean energy industries in the North Sea.
“Issuing new licences to explore new fields cannot give us energy security and will not take a penny off bills.”
