North Sea Oil

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When did John Swinney U-turn on oil and gas?

Here's the problem with saying the SNP and Swinney U-turned on oil and gas

John Swinney was accused of a U-turn when he confirmed the SNP did not support the UK Government's ban on new oil and gas licences. Here's the problem.

The Ipsos Scotland survey also found a majority of Scots (51%) want the Scottish Government to be able to make most of the decisions on national insurance

The Ipsos Scotland survey also found a majority of Scots (51%) want the Scottish Government to be able to make most of the decisions on national insurance

58 per cent of Scots want Holyrood to decide on North Sea oil licences

The proposed Energy Independence Bill would strip the North Sea Transition Authority of its power to grant new licences for oil and gas exploration and production.

The proposed Energy Independence Bill would strip the North Sea Transition Authority of its power to grant new licences for oil and gas exploration and production.

UK Government moves to end new North Sea oil and gas licensing

Serica Energy is preparing a new six-well drilling programme in the North Sea

Serica Energy is preparing a new six-well drilling programme in the North Sea

Business Insight

North Sea producer targets major output boost with six-well drilling push

Should the go-ahead be given to start production at Rosebank?

Should the go-ahead be given to start production at Rosebank?

Save our jobs and our economy: We cannot afford to continue to mothball Rosebank

Minister for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville (second left) during the first meeting of the newly appointed Scottish Cabinet

Minister for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville (second left) during the first meeting of the newly appointed Scottish Cabinet

SNP Cabinet Secretary says Jackdaw gas field approval was 'the right decision'

The bigger jobs story surrounding Jackdaw lies beyond the platform, among the engineering, logistics and service companies supporting the North Sea

The bigger jobs story surrounding Jackdaw lies beyond the platform, among the engineering, logistics and service companies supporting the North Sea

Beyond Jackdaw's 27 jobs: The £2.1bn prize for North Sea supply chain

Jackdaw's approval has intensified pressure on the UK Government to give Rosebank the green light, while exposing divisions over the future of North Sea drilling.

Jackdaw's approval has intensified pressure on the UK Government to give Rosebank the green light, while exposing divisions over the future of North Sea drilling.

Jackdaw was the easy part – now comes the real North Sea headache

The Scottish Government has called for a 'futures fund' to be established

The Scottish Government has called for a 'futures fund' to be established

Scotland's energy minister calls for Jackdaw profits to fund renewables

The drilling project is one of two which were approved by the previous Conservative government (stock pic)

The drilling project is one of two which were approved by the previous Conservative government (stock pic)

UK Government approves North Sea Jackdaw gas field drilling project

One of Seaway7's offshore installation vessels. The company is expected to support 400 jobs in Scotland through its role on SSE's Berwick Bank B project

One of Seaway7's offshore installation vessels. The company is expected to support 400 jobs in Scotland through its role on SSE's Berwick Bank B project

Rare green jobs boost offers fresh evidence in North Sea transition debate

160 offshore workers to strike over pay in dispute 'threatening UK fuel supplies'

Protesters call on Andy Burnham not to give the go ahead to Rosebank oil field during a protest against new North Sea drilling initiatives

Protesters call on Andy Burnham not to give the go ahead to Rosebank oil field during a protest against new North Sea drilling initiatives

Unions urge Andy Burnham to reject controversial Rosebank oil development

SNP MP warns Aberdeen could be 'decimated' ahead of North Sea conference clash

The majority of Scots want to see the nation shift towards net zero energy, a study has found.

The majority of Scots want to see the nation shift towards net zero energy, a study has found.

Scots back renewables but reject immediate end to North Sea drilling, study shows

More than 160 offshore oil workers are considering strike action that their union claims could “severely disrupt” UK fuel supplies.

More than 160 offshore oil workers are considering strike action that their union claims could “severely disrupt” UK fuel supplies.

More than 160 North Sea workers back strike action that 'could disrupt fuel supplies'

Rosebank opposition called 'virtue-signalling' as MSPs clash over new oil and gas

More than £100m has flowed in from French investors since the beginning of 2025

More than £100m has flowed in from French investors since the beginning of 2025

Business Insight

Commercial property

The French connection that's drawing investors to an unexpected Scottish market

For Aberdeen, Jackdaw is far more than just another North Sea project

For Aberdeen, Jackdaw is far more than just another North Sea project

Business Insight

The bigger message behind Westminster's potential Jackdaw decision

Ministers are set to make a decision on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields after consultations for both closed in recent weeks.

Ministers are set to make a decision on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields after consultations for both closed in recent weeks.

Both Scottish Labour leadership candidates back North Sea drilling

OEG said it has entered the second half of the year with 'positive momentum'

OEG said it has entered the second half of the year with 'positive momentum'

Scottish offshore supplier hits record quarter as growth gathers pace

Photo issued by RSPB Scotland of a wildfire burning in the Cairngorms National Park in north east Scotland

Photo issued by RSPB Scotland of a wildfire burning in the Cairngorms National Park in north east Scotland

REBECCA MCQUILLAN

Scotland is burning and we can no longer pretend this is normal

Protesters call on Andy Burnham not to give the go ahead to Rosebank oil field during a protest against new North Sea drilling initiatives

Protesters call on Andy Burnham not to give the go ahead to Rosebank oil field during a protest against new North Sea drilling initiatives

Leading UK music figures call on Andy Burnham to reject Rosebank oil and gas field

The future of the Rosebank oil field, around 80 miles north-west of Shetland, is in the spotlight as its public consultation closes today, with Labour under growing pressure over the future of North Sea oil and gas.

The future of the Rosebank oil field, around 80 miles north-west of Shetland, is in the spotlight as its public consultation closes today, with Labour under growing pressure over the future of North Sea oil and gas.

Pressure mounts on Andy Burnham over ‘life or death’ North Sea decision

An ultimately futile protest against the closure of Scotland's last oil refinery at Grangemouth

An ultimately futile protest against the closure of Scotland's last oil refinery at Grangemouth

So you think Holyrood is in decline? What about the UK?

Brexit is firmly in focus.

Brexit is firmly in focus.

Two very big issues for Burnham as he gets feet under table and SNP has say

Emissions from Rosebank and Jackdaw fields could wipe out the population of Inverness

Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham faces pressure over North Sea oil and gas as consultation closes

BP is to sell off its North Sea business Image: PA

BP is to sell off its North Sea business Image: PA

North Sea crisis: Time for Burnham to show Swinney what it means to be decisive

John Swinney going in for a handshake with Donald Trump in the Oval Office

John Swinney going in for a handshake with Donald Trump in the Oval Office

Trump urges UK to open up North Sea as Swinney demands end to 'unfair' oil tax

Prime Minister Andy Burnham had signalled a softer stance on North Sea drilling.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham had signalled a softer stance on North Sea drilling.

'Disastrous net-zero dogma': PM under pressure as BP to sell North Sea business

Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets apprentices during a visit to Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge (SASK) at BAE Systems, in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, to set out his plans for British defence procurement and how the government will re-energise

Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets apprentices during a visit to Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge (SASK) at BAE Systems, in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, to set out his plans for British defence procurement and how the government will re-energise

Burnham says ‘we can’t ignore’ North Sea oil after Trump call, leaving door open

Labour's Andy Burnham is due to become the UK's Prime Minister on Monday.

Labour's Andy Burnham is due to become the UK's Prime Minister on Monday.

Burnham to become seventh PM in a decade and take new North Sea oil and gas stance

Andy Burnham will be the UK's seventh Prime Minister in the last 10 years

Andy Burnham will be the UK's seventh Prime Minister in the last 10 years

Andy Burnham must urgently address this issue as the UK's new Prime Minister

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump

Donald Trump celebrates reports Andy Burnham could back more North Sea drilling

Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaking last week.

Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaking last week.

Andy Burnham to take 'more pragmatic approach' to North Sea oil and gas

Andy Burnham urged to stick to Labour manifesto on North Sea oil

Dozens of protests have been held against Rosebank oil field

Dozens of protests have been held against Rosebank oil field

Group of MPs and MSPs sign pledge to oppose Rosebank oil field

A consultation on Jackdaw opened on Wednesday (Jane Barlow/PA)

A consultation on Jackdaw opened on Wednesday (Jane Barlow/PA)

Jackdaw wouldn't lower energy bills say campaigners as new impact assessment released

“Right now, Westminster is throwing North Sea workers on the scrapheap and Jackdaw and Rosebank would not only create thousands of Scottish jobs, it would be a massive boost to businesses and local economies the length and breadth of Scotland.”

“Right now, Westminster is throwing North Sea workers on the scrapheap and Jackdaw and Rosebank would not only create thousands of Scottish jobs, it would be a massive boost to businesses and local economies the length and breadth of Scotland.”

SNP MSP breaks ranks and calls for Jackdaw and Rosebank oil fields approval

It would be ridiculous to suggest in any way the North Sea sector is irrelevant.

It would be ridiculous to suggest in any way the North Sea sector is irrelevant.

Just Transition

Scottish Labour MPs call on UK Government to approve new oil and gas

It would be ridiculous to suggest in any way the North Sea sector is irrelevant.

It would be ridiculous to suggest in any way the North Sea sector is irrelevant.

Extra funding to expand scheme to retrain oil and gas workers for clean energy jobs

Scottish Conservative Party MSP Douglas Lumsden (front row centre) celebrates with supporters at P&J Live in Aberdeen after winning the Aberdeen South by-election, taking the seat from the SNP.

Scottish Conservative Party MSP Douglas Lumsden (front row centre) celebrates with supporters at P&J Live in Aberdeen after winning the Aberdeen South by-election, taking the seat from the SNP.

Inside story: How Tories turned things around to win in Aberdeen South

First Minister John Swinney speaks to the media at The Culdee in Monifieth, after celebrating with newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird and party activists following her win in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election.

First Minister John Swinney speaks to the media at The Culdee in Monifieth, after celebrating with newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird and party activists following her win in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election.

Swinney vows SNP will ‘consider the implications’ of Aberdeen South defeat

Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch (centre), Scottish Conservative Leader Russell Findlay (centre right) and Conservative Party MP for Aberdeen South Douglas Lumsden (centre left) during a victory rally in Aberdeen after winning the Aberdeen

Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch (centre), Scottish Conservative Leader Russell Findlay (centre right) and Conservative Party MP for Aberdeen South Douglas Lumsden (centre left) during a victory rally in Aberdeen after winning the Aberdeen

'A huge wake up call': Unions blast Labour and SNP over North Sea after Tory win

North Sea oil rigs Image: PA

North Sea oil rigs Image: PA

North sea workers face 'cliff edge' with redundancies growing and transition doubts

The future of North Sea oil and gas has been a big talking point in the Aberdeen South by-election debate

The future of North Sea oil and gas has been a big talking point in the Aberdeen South by-election debate

A unionist pact in Scotland? Dream on

Dozens of protests have been held against Rosebank oil field

Dozens of protests have been held against Rosebank oil field

Scottish Government must not 'shirk responsibility' over Rosebank approval

It would be ridiculous to suggest in any way the North Sea sector is irrelevant.

It would be ridiculous to suggest in any way the North Sea sector is irrelevant.

BP 'held talks' over selling North Sea oil portfolio

A North Sea rig

A North Sea rig

North Sea oil workers to strike after no agreement found on bonus row

Stephen Flynn seemed in good spirits and voiced hopes that his sons would have a bright footballing future.

Stephen Flynn seemed in good spirits and voiced hopes that his sons would have a bright footballing future.

Stephen Flynn reveals hopes for his sons - and what Tesco taught him

Stephen Flynn, new Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, revealed his views on Scottish income tax and business rates in an interview with The Herald's Business Editor, Ian McConnell.

Stephen Flynn, new Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, revealed his views on Scottish income tax and business rates in an interview with The Herald's Business Editor, Ian McConnell.

Stephen Flynn reveals views on Scottish income tax, business rates and Kate Forbes

Stephen Flynn says he is 'incredibly frustrated' over UK government policies on the North Sea.

Stephen Flynn says he is 'incredibly frustrated' over UK government policies on the North Sea.

Stephen Flynn 'incredibly frustrated' over North Sea 'cliff edge'

(Jane Barlow/PA)

(Jane Barlow/PA)

Scottish Government urged to offer 'full-throated' support for North Sea oil