UPDATE (January 2015): This website was created ahead of the Scottish independence referendum held in September 2014. This referendum ended in a 55-45 vote for ‘no’ (i.e. to remain part of the United Kingdom).[i] Since the referendum result, discussions have continued regarding Scotland’s constitutional future and global oil prices have declined. This website has been updated (see bold text) to reflect the post-referendum oil & gas discussion.
Welcome to North Sea Oil and Gas. The UK offshore oil & gas sector has been a major contributor to the national economy for some 50 years now.[ii] Its revenues have boosted the UK’s finances whilst the skills, experience and technology developed here have been exported globally. As field reserves deplete and infrastructure (platforms, pipelines etc) approaches the end of its operating life, fresh challenges await.
The forthcoming Scottish independence referendum (to be held on 18 September 2014)[iii] could have a major impact upon the sector. Existing challenges would be magnified in the context of a separate Scottish economy which (largely due to relative population size) would be approximately a tenth of the size of the UK’s. From an industry perspective, continuity is the key; which government provides this is of secondary importance. Upon any constitutional change, such issues as maritime boundary definition, licensing, regulation and taxation would all require early, settled resolution.
This website aims to discuss some key questions from a neutral and objective standpoint. Each section has been kept to around 500 words to ensure readability; further details can be obtained from the links provided. As this website is being developed regularly, please be sure to check back for updates.
By the website author:
Energy Voice
‘2015 – a pivotal year’
https://www.energyvoice.com/opinion/71689/opinion-2015-pivotal-year/
OE (Offshore Engineer) Digital
‘Better together, but still questions’
http://www.oedigital.com/component/k2/item/6902-better-together-but-still-questions
IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers)
‘North Sea Oil and the Scottish Independence Referendum’ presentation to the IChemE
See attachment: North Sea Oil and the Scottish Independence Referendum – Sanjoy Sen – MASTER exc appx
‘Going it alone’ article (on the potential impact of the referendum on North Sea oil) was the cover story in the tce (The Chemical Engineer) magazine, issue 873, March 2014
See attachment: TCE.873.oil
or obtain free download from: http://www.tcetoday.com/~/media/Documents/TCE/free-features/873oil.pdf
Energy Voice
Video: The North Sea’s role in the independence debate
http://www.energyvoice.com/2014/08/sanjoy-sen/
SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers)
‘North Sea Oil and the Scottish Independence Referendum’ was the guest editorial in JPT (Journal of Petroleum Technology), Vol. 66, No. 7, July 2014
See attachment: North Sea Oil and the Scottish Independence Referendum
or obtain free download from (login required): https://www.spe.org/jpt/issue/2014-07
PCG (Professional Contractors Group)
‘Just How Important is North Sea Oil to Scotland and the Referendum?’ featured in FM (Freelancing Matters), Issue 44, July 2014
http://www.freelancingmatters.com/important-north-sea-oil-scotland-referendum/
CPSA (Canadian Political Science Association)
‘A devolved Scottish oil & gas sector: regulatory lessons from the relationship between Newfoundland & Labrador and the federal government of Canada’ paper presented at the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA) Annual Conference, May 2014:
See attachment: CPSA Submission – 2014-03-03 – Scotland vs Newfoundland – Sanjoy Sen
or obtain free download from: http://www.cpsa-acsp.ca/2014event/Sen.pdf
[i] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides/results
[ii] http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/knowledgecentre/operations.cfm
North Sea Oil & Gas 