Oil and gas issues on the agenda

Northern Isles MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken of the need for a collaborative approach to solve the problems faced by the oil and gas industry.

His comments came yesterday after attending an oil and gas summit in Aberdeen with industry leaders, trade unions and politicians from local, Scottish and UK government.

Mr Carmichael said: “Today’s summit was a good opportunity to get everyone around the table and discuss the challenges and facing the North Sea oil and gas sector and how we can tackle them. I was greatly encouraged by the willingness of all to work together collaboratively to see the industry through the current downturn in prices.

“The new Oil and Gas Authority in Aberdeen will play a central role in the future of the industry and I am pleased that the new chief executive, Andy Samuel, has committed to visiting Orkney and Shetland in the near future. His role in setting the future direction of the industry will be crucial so getting him to the Northern Isles to see how the industry works here will be important.

“We are currently still seeing very healthy levels of activity, especially in Shetland, but looking to the future we should not be complacent and can take nothing for granted.”