Oil and gas Scotland: Green industrial revolution ‘in the balance’, says offshore industry chief, as he backs Rosebank

David Whitehouse said policies that undermine oil and gas will harm investment in carbon capture and wind

The prospect of a green industrial revolution is "in the balance" ahead of the general election, the chief executive of the offshore industry trade body has warned.

David Whitehouse, of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), formerly Oil and Gas UK, said policies that undermine oil and gas would harm investment in carbon capture and wind. It came as he insisted projects such as the controversial Rosebank oil field off Shetland would create jobs and benefit companies up and down Scotland.

OEUK has released a manifesto ahead of the general election, in which it says investment in homegrown oil and gas will “underpin a successful energy transition”. It said the windfall tax should be removed before 2028 to unlock investment.

David Whitehouse, CEO of Offshore Energies UK. Picture: Michal Wachucik/Abermedia

The trade body has been holding emergency talks with operators and supply chain companies over Labour’s plan to extend and increase the windfall tax, which it says threatens jobs.

Speaking to The Scotsman, Mr Whitehouse said: "I think it is really clear that as we head into this general election, delivering a successful green industrial revolution is in the balance.

"The message that is in our manifesto is very clear. If we choose to do this in a collaborative way, where we make the best use of our existing industrial heritage, make the best use of our supply chain, that's the path to success.

"If we undermine oil and gas investment now, that will undermine investment in carbon storage, it will undermine investment in wind, it will undermine the very supply chain companies that we need for the UK and Scotland to take advantage of that.

"So our manifesto is very clear. We do this in a collaborative way, we accept that while we use oil and gas throughout the transition that we should prioritise domestic production, and in doing so that is the absolute platform for delivering a successful energy transition which creates jobs, value and delivers on our climate goals."

Mr Whitehouse said it “surely makes sense that we back our home-grown industries”, adding: "Fundamentally, we think the case is clear, that you should back the home-grown oil and gas sector. I think that's a platform for jobs, I think it's a platform while we have a cost-of-living crisis, I think that creates real economic value."

Asked if this includes developments such as Rosebank – the UK's largest untapped oil field, which was granted consent last year – he said: "Absolutely."