23 Aug 2006
CAIRNS TAKES SCOTLAND'S INTERESTS TO NORWEGIAN
OIL CONFERENCE
Scottish interests are being put to the fore by Scotland Office Minister David Cairns during a two-day tour to meet Norwegian Government and oil industry representatives in Stravengar.
The trip highlights the growing links between Scotland and Norway and includes David Cairns speaking at the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) conference. This is the first time the Scotland Office Minister has undertaken to represent energy issues on a European stage.
After the conference the Minister will meet with Norwegian oil industry representatives to take forward mutually beneficial projects including carbon capture (storing CO2 under the seabed) and other works to utilise the oil and gas reserves in deposits which straddle both country's sectors.
The Minister said,
"Scotland's long standing expertise within the oil industry can only benefit from building closer working relationships with Norway and its oil companies. It is great to see the strong presence of Scottish firms here in Stravengar for this important event. By working together to make sure we maximise the recovery of energy resources in the North Sea we will help extend the life of Scottish processing facilities and the employment they generate."
The Scotland Office has been heavily involved in the UK's Energy Review and through its close links with industry is fully engaged in helping to deliver secure, clean energy at affordable prices, and tackling climate change be reducing carbon emissions.
If all the Energy Review proposals were implemented, Mr Cairns told the ONS conference, carbon emissions in the UK could be reduced by 19 and 25 million tonnes by 2020.
Contact: Val Morgan tel: 0131 244 9062
News Release: SCO/011/06
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