SNP Minister Advocates for More North Sea Drilling if Aligned with Energy Goals
SNP minister Mairi McAllan has expressed support for increased drilling activity in the North Sea, provided such actions align with energy targets and are necessary to ensure energy security.
During an appearance on the BBC's Question Time, McAllan initially stated she had "not seen the evidence" supporting additional drilling, noting that decisions regarding further oil exploration fall under the jurisdiction of the UK government. However, she conceded her position when pressed on the issue.
This development follows recent indications from John Swinney suggesting a softening of the SNP's opposition to licensing new offshore fossil fuel projects, a stance originally established in 2023.
Other political leaders criticized the SNP's management of oil and gas policies and presented their own proposals regarding future drilling or transitions away from fossil fuels.
Scottish Labour pledged to end its "ideological opposition" to nuclear energy, while Reform UK advocated for facilitating increased drilling. The Scottish Liberal Democrats expressed conditional support for exploration if it proves more environmentally sensible than importing fossil fuels. Conversely, the Scottish Greens maintained that continued extraction is unjustifiable both environmentally and for energy security.
The programme was hosted in Aberdeen, where panelists faced pointed questions from audience members, some of whom had experienced job losses in the region.
Recent weeks have seen a spike in UK oil prices following US President Donald Trump's statement that he would impose severe measures on Iran amid ongoing conflict.
The US-Israeli conflict with Iran has effectively resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane through which a significant portion of the world's energy supply is transported.
Control over licensing for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea resides with the UK government, which under Labour maintains a policy against permitting new developments.
However, this opposition has softened since the last general election, with approvals granted last year for new drilling on or near existing fields, commonly referred to as "tiebacks."
Currently, UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and the North Sea Transition Authority, the industry regulator, are evaluating whether to grant final approval for two major oil and gas fields: Rosebank and Jackdaw.
Energy Security and Climate Compatibility at Forefront of Debate
In light of the prevailing energy insecurity, the Question Time panel was asked whether they would endorse efforts to increase North Sea oil and gas production.
McAllan, substituting for Swinney, emphasized that each new proposal "needs to be considered against climate compatibility, which remains an obligation, and energy security, which is a moving picture."
She also expressed a preference for decisions on this matter to be made within Scotland, criticizing the UK government's energy profits levy, which she argued was "starving the industry of the very investment that we need to transition."
When host Fiona Bruce inquired whether she believed further drilling should occur, McAllan responded:
If it can be demonstrated that it's both climate-compatible and required for energy security, then yes it should.
Reform UK's Scotland leader, Malcolm Offord, described it as "daft" that Scotland imports oil and gas from Norway. He proposed establishing a licensing arrangement with energy companies to ensure fuel is used solely for domestic consumption.
We can use our own North Sea gas as a transition fuel to a future,
he stated.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay advocated for exploiting all available resources in the North Sea and criticized the SNP for "pretending" they had not altered their position.
Findlay also reproached John Swinney for not personally addressing the people of the northeast, to which McAllan retorted that he has a "problem with women being represented in politics."
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged the UK energy secretary to honor licenses granted by the previous Conservative government for the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields.
He reiterated his party's commitment to lifting the ban on new nuclear energy projects and stated he would prioritize this initiative from "day one" if elected first minister.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton supported increased exploration if it proves environmentally preferable to importing fossil fuels.
Taking a contrasting position, Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay argued that additional drilling is incompatible with both climate goals and energy security, emphasizing the need for enhanced funding to support workers transitioning away from fossil fuel industries.
Sarwar and Offord Clash Over Post-Election Cooperation Claims
Malcolm Offord and Anas Sarwar engaged in a renewed dispute regarding allegations of collaboration to unseat the SNP government following the election.
Offord reiterated his claim that during the December Question Time broadcast from Paisley, Sarwar "bounced up" to him and indicated that Reform UK was poised to perform well and that cooperation was necessary.
Sarwar dismissed this as "utter nonsense" and expressed hope that Reform UK would "get absolutely humped in this election."
The previous week, the confrontation attracted media attention after Sarwar labeled Offord a "liar" and "a pathetic, poisonous, odious little man."
Gillian Mackay interjected in the ongoing exchange, describing it as a "bit of a boring psychodrama."
