UK Government Ministers have shown support for the offshore oil and gas industry, attending a formal opening of its leading representative body’s new office in Aberdeen.

Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, and David Duguid, UK Government Minister for Scotland, this week attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for OGUK’s new office in Annan House, located near the Union Square development, as part of a day of visits to companies working in the sector.

The ceremony was followed by a discussion with industry leaders in which Ms Trevelyan reconfirmed her support for the North Sea Transition Deal, agreed between UK Government and industry in March.

The deal will unlock up to £16 billion of investment over the next decade in crucial low carbon solutions like carbon capture and hydrogen, secure up to 40,000 energy jobs in industrial heartlands across the UK and cut UK emissions by 60 million tonnes (the equivalent of taking 2.5 million cars off the road).

It will also ensure energy communities across the UK can successfully transition, retaining jobs and skills and creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

OGUK CEO Deirdre Michie said:
“We welcome the Ministers today and appreciate this show of support at such a pivotal time for our industry.

“This ceremony marks an era of transformation for our sector as we continue our recovery, working with the UK Government to implement the North Sea Transition Deal, a key catalyst for net zero and the Prime Minister’s ten-point-plan alike.

“We hope to build on this positive relationship with government in the coming years to realise the full potential of our changing sector, supporting jobs and the economy while playing a key role in delivering the government’s net zero targets.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:
“It was a privilege to officially open OGUK’s new office in Aberdeen today, and I look forward to continuing to work with the UK’s oil and gas sector to support them in the transition to a cleaner, greener energy future.

“Through our landmark North Sea Transition Deal, we are backing the decarbonisation of the oil and gas industry, while supporting workers both here in Scotland and across the UK, as we work to build back greener and eliminate our contribution to climate change.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid said:
“It was great to meet representatives from OGUK and see the brilliant new offices at Annan House, marking another step forward in the North Sea Transition Deal.

“The North East of Scotland has a reputation for excellence in the oil and gas industry, and as we move towards a greener future, the UK Government is supporting the area to become a global centre of excellence in the energy transition.

“The Deal will safeguard and create highly-skilled jobs in the North East, boosting the economy while helping us realise our net zero ambitions.”