UK Oil and Gas Industry Association : OGUK condemns dangerous and short-sighted stunt

January 6, 2020

Commenting on news that protestors have boarded a drilling rig in Dundee harbour, OGUK Chief Executive Deirdre Michie said:

'This is a dangerous and short-sighted stunt which does absolutely nothing to help provide the solutions which will be required to meaningfully deliver net zero emissions by 2045 in Scotland.

'Worse than this, we know that the premature shutdown of the North Sea would only increase reliance on oil and gas imported from across the world where we have no control over emissions and with none of the substantial benefits our indigenous industry brings with its thousands of skilled jobs, the funding of public services and energy security.

'This stunt puts both the activists and offshore workforce at risk and our industry - with its focus on safe operations - will not condone these actions.

'If Extinction Rebellion is serious about net zero then it needs to become serious about what will be required and recognise the critical contribution our industry could make if it realises its full potential to support the transition to a lower carbon and more diverse energy mix.

'Our industry is part of the solution and Roadmap 2035: a blueprint for net zero outlines our plans to reduce emissions from the operational production of oil and gas while supporting other heavy emitting sectors to reduce emissions through low carbon technologies including Carbon Capture Usage and Storage and hydrogen. This is an industry in action, and we are committed to working with anyone to find solutions and deliver the low carbon future we all want to see.'

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