Meeting of the Parliament 12 November 2025
The future of the North Sea oil and gas sector is of vital importance to Scotland’s economy and society, and it is central to our energy transition. Oil and gas will continue to play an extremely important, essential and welcome role in the energy mix for decades to come. That role is now declining, given the maturity of the North Sea basin, as other members have said. It is important that we are clear that, under the current political settlement, decisions on consenting to any specific North Sea oil and gas field—be it Rosebank or any other—is a matter that is reserved to the UK Government.
The UK regulator is currently undertaking a statutory process of public consultation as part of an updated environmental impact assessment for the Rosebank field. The consultation remains open until 20 November. I expect that scientists, industry experts, activists and members of the public will wish to contribute their views to the consultation. That is why the Government’s amendment reflects the importance of allowing an evidence-led, case-by-case approach to be properly followed to its conclusion.
I assure members that the Scottish Government remains clear in our support for a just transition for Scotland’s valuable offshore energy sector.