CAMBO JOBS BLOW
Campaigners herald Shell decision to withdraw but supporters say Scots workforce will suffer big hit
THOUSANDS of jobs could be at risk after oil giant Shell pulled out of the controversial Cambo oilfield off the Shetland coast.
The move was welcomed by Scottish Government minister Patrick Harvie and environmentalists who said it was the “beginning of the end” of oil and gas projects.
But there are fears that the move could spell serious trouble for workers in the north-east.
Former oil tycoon and chairman of Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone, Sir Ian Wood, said: “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.”
Scottish Tory net zero spokesman Liam Kerr, echoed his concerns, saying the development should not be applauded.
Kerr said: “The Cambo project not going ahead would risk Scottish jobs, risk our energy supply, and risk our ability to meet net zero targets.
“Sir Ian Wood is spot on. Importing energy from abroad would be more expensive for the public and would do more harm to the planet than using the energy on our doorstep.
“Patrick Harvie wrongly brands supporters of Scotland’s oil and gas industry as ‘hard right’, which is insulting to the tens of thousands of workers in our North Sea sector.
“Nicola Sturgeon must distance her Government from these comments quickly. Her opposition to future oil and gas projects seems to be discouraging investment already. We warned bringing the extremist Greens into government would hurt Scotland’s economy and, already, it’s damaging business confidence and risking jobs.”
Shell owned a 30 per cent share in the oilfield, which has been at the centre of discussions about climate change in Scotland for more than a year.
Siccar Point Energy, the majority stakeholder, said it would discuss the development of the field with the UK Government.
Green MSP Harvie, minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants’ rights, had earlier said: “It’s absurd to suggest our transition to a zero carbon economy depends on drilling for ever more oil and gas.
“This is not a normal political choice. This is mission critical for our survival.
“It is humanity’s only survival strategy and we need to invest now in the transition that has to be fair but it has to be fast.”
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Climate and Energy Campaigner Caroline Rance added: “People power has made the climate-wrecking Cambo development so toxic that even oil giant Shell doesn’t want to be associated with it any more.
“Shell could see what way the wind was blowing with the project facing fierce opposition, and costly delays, from the public, climate groups and politicians.
“This marks the beginning of the end for all new oil and gas projects.”