We have to continue to deliver for energy sector

One of the worst periods in the history of the oil and gas industry in the north-east

Ihad the pleasure of meeting representatives of energy giant Statoil at Westminster earlier this week.

I was given a detailed presentation on the progress the company is making with its $5billion investment in the Mariner field, which involves some of the largest engineering works in the world.

The company has also just secured 700 jobs in Aberdeen, which can only be good news.

Coming alongside the news in the Press and Journal earlier this week of the first oil milestone for Enquest’s Kraken development east of Shetland, there are grounds for optimism.

We are starting to see the green shoots of recovery after what has been one of the worst periods in the history of the oil and gas industry here in the north-east.

The Conservative government at Westminster has provided fantastic support for the energy sector – with tax breaks worth £2.3billion over the past three years, the establishment of the Oil and Gas Authority and the Aberdeen City Region Deal.

However, the job is by no means done. As new MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, I will be regularly knocking on the door of my party colleague Richard Harrington to make sure that we continue to deliver.