Energy doyen highlights Russian threat

A pioneer of the North Sea energy industry has warned of the UK’S vulnerability to a withdrawal of Russian gas supplies amid the political tensions between the UK and Russia.

Algy Cluff, chairman of Cluff Natural Resources, which has multiple gas prospects in the southern gas basin of the North Sea, told The Scotsman yesterday: “The legacy of the Cameron-osborne government is one of energy reliance on other nations, such that we now find ourselves where we can so easily be held to ransom by a hostile Russia.

“We are blessed with abundant gas resources and the current government, supported by the encouraging work of the Oil and Gas Authority, needs to prioritise homesourced gas, both in the North Sea and onshore.

“The bad weather could prove not the only ‘Beast from the East’ if we get this wrong as a nation. While our enemies are red, we must restrain our headlong determination to go green regardless of our security.”

Cluff, 85, who stepped down as chief executive of Cluff Natural Resources in February to focus on other interests, including launching a charity, said the UK was “manifestly vulnerable” in the dispute with President Vladimir Putin.

“We need a bit of everything in the energy mix,” he said. “Ten years ago we were self-sufficient in gas. Now we import 50 per cent, admittedly not only from Russia but other unreliable countries such as Qatar and Libya.

“We need recommissioning in the North Sea, not decommissioning.” 0 Algy Cluff said UK is ‘manifestly vulnerable’