The findings of research, conducted by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce into the oil and gas industry, which show continued growth for 2013, are supported by forecasts from Aquaterra Energy in Aberdeen.

The Chamber’s 18th Oil and Gas survey reports that 60% of operators are anticipating a rise in activity, investment and confidence in the North Sea in the coming year.  Robert Collier, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, is reported to have said that the oil and gas industry is “a driver of the Scottish and UK economies” and that the “sector is in good health with capacity being utilised, investment increasing and optimism about the future”.  Insight from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) supports the Chamber’s picture, with new buyer inquiries and agreed property sales rising for the third consecutive month.

Celebrating the anniversary of the opening of its central Aberdeen office this summer, Aquaterra Energy Aberdeen’s general manager, Eric Doyle, said: “All the signs are good and confidence is high again after the low that followed the Budget 2011 tax rise.  We expect growth to continue in the North Sea as operators invest in the development of new assets.  Our senior team is growing steadily with the addition of new skilled engineers with offshore experience, recruited to deliver the leading edge innovation our customers have come to expect from Aquaterra Energy.”