The UK Government has been urged to provide more support to the North Sea oil and gas industry to address claims of a downturn in confidence and job losses.

Sir Robert Smith, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has raised the issue with Chancellor George Osborne ahead of the autumn budget statement on December 3.

He told the Conservative MP that the industry was facing a difficult time, with many projects coming to the end of their labour-intensive phases.

Sir Robert, a Liberal Democrat, said he was concerned that Chevron and Shell had announced plans to cut a total of 475 jobs in Aberdeen.

He has called on the Tory-Lib Dem coalition to encourage greater investment in exploration and production.

He said: “The oil and gas industry generates significant revenues for the Treasury and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“However, rising costs and a downturn in confidence is causing concern.

“I have called on the chancellor to use the government’s fiscal review of the industry to incentivise investment exploration and production. Ahead of the autumn statement, the government needs to act to protect the vital jobs in the industry and encourage new projects.”

https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/68878/mp-call-north-sea-lifeline/