A legal ruling on the future of the Rosebank oil and gas field is an “opportunity” to tell North Sea workers they will not be left behind in the race to renewables, said Labour MP Torcuil Crichton.
Mr Crichton urges government ministers to balance the transition from carbon to green energy with keeping North Sea jobs while the country still needs oil and gas.
The west of Shetland oil field has been embroiled in legal controversy after a court ruled that approval for drilling was unlawful.
Keir Starmer is now under pressure to decide whether to re-approve Rosebank, following
an assessment of the potential environmental impact of the project.
During an urgent question in the Commons this week the MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar
made it clear that the government ought to remain committed to the North Sea industry
and workers.
Mr Crichton told MPs: “There must be balance in the necessary transition from carbon to renewables.
“It is not an either/or. We have been in the North Sea for two generations, and we will be there for two generations more as we wind down the basin.
“Politics is often about symbols, and the renewed consents for Rosebank and Jackdaw, if they come, offer an opportunity to reassure workers in this industry that they will not be left behind when we plan for a fair and just transition from the old to the new.”
The tone of approach was welcomed by Energy Minister Michael Shanks who emphasised Labour’s commitment to North Sea workers.
He said: “This industry has many thousands of extremely talented, skilled and experienced workers. We have to ensure that we build a resilient industry for many decades to come.
“The reality is that the North Sea is a super-mature basin. A transition is already
under way, and it is incumbent on us - and on any responsible government - to build
the industry that comes next while continuing to support the oil and gas industry
that we have today.”
North Sea oil and gas has a role for decades says MP
12 February 2025
