Oil news kept quiet

I still love watching Fools and Horses on TV as Del and Rodney’s schemes go awry and they find themselves in soapy-bubble.

John Maxwell (Reformer letters, August 20) could do no better than to watch the show and learn from the hapless brothers’ exploits before he again puts pen to paper.

Firstly, I do not believe there is a conspiracy over the potential of North Sea Oil (or West Coast Oil for that matter). However, there does appear to be a lack of media coverage about recent news from the oil sector.

For instance, the following annoucements made in just the last two weeks: TAQA (Abu Dhabi National Energy Company) £2.5 billion investment in the new Darwin Field and existing Cormorant field expected to produce 300 million barrels over the next 35 years; Xcite Oil announcing its Bentley oil field is expected to produce 700 million barrels over the same period and BP announcing its Clair Ridge Project will provide 640 million barrels.

Total value of just these four fields is worth over £500 billion and of course there are many more.

I do wonder why that such good news did not receive any coverage in the national media.

Secondly, as to the NHS. Yes, the Scottish NHS is devolved (thank goodness), Yes, the Scottish Government could increase tax to make up any shortfall in its block grant but if John Maxwell’s solution to London cuts is to make Scots pay more for their NHS than the rest of the UK then he has shot himself, and the No hopers campaign, in the foot.

Finally, Mr Maxwell accuses Yes campaigners of saying nasty things then he himself uses a string of adjectives including bigots and racists to describe supporters of independence. Ouch, there goes his other foot.

Having left himself without a leg to stand on Mr Maxwell can consider himself fortunate that Derek Trotter is not a Reformer reader.

I can imagine Del’s response to Mr Maxwell’s writings: “What a plonker!” Councillor Gordon Clark, SNP, Rutherglen Central and North Ward.