First Minister Alex Salmond has claimed that an independent Scotland would guarantee North Sea oil and gas producers a stable fiscal regime, free from Westminster-style ‘tax grabs’.  Salmond added that Scotland would benefit from a North Sea oil “boom” but will not become over-reliant on the offshore industry, a Scottish Government paper claimed last week.

The Scottish government revealed that an expert commission will be set up to investigate how an independent Scotland could maximise the returns from North Sea oil and gas.  The newly created commission will develop the proposals outlined in the paper which summarises the oil and gas industry’s contribution to the economy and the gains it offers to an independent Scotland.

The paper states: “The Oil and Gas Expert Commission will build upon the approach and overarching principles set out in this paper, and provide advice on the technical application of the policy framework, which would underpin Scottish Government policy in an independent Scotland.”

Eric Doyle, Regional Director – Europe at Aquaterra Energy, commented: “Aquaterra Energy welcomes the news that a well-defined framework, outlined by the Scottish Government policy paper, will include the set-up of an expert commission and if invited would welcome the chance to contribute to such a document.  As we are coming up to our one year anniversary since the opening of the Aberdeen office, the team knows all too well the importance of the oil and gas industry to Aberdeen and for Scotland.

The decision to invest in our Aberdeen team demonstrates our true commitment to locally based international oil and gas clients, whose business we value and who are instrumental in maintaining Aberdeen’s thriving industry.”