BP sale shows Scotland’s energy workers need just transition
The sale of BP’s North Sea oil and gas business is a stark warning that governments must accelerate Scotland’s transition to renewable energy and protect workers from further corporate retreat, the Scottish Greens have said.
BP has announced plans to sell its North Sea operations after more than 60 years in the basin, affecting around 1,100 workers directly as well as thousands more across the supply chain.
Scottish Greens energy spokesperson Kristopher Leask MSP said:
“This is a stark reminder that no amount of political spin can reverse decades of geological decline. Andy Burnham cannot drill his way out of that reality.
“After more than 60 years, BP has decided that its North Sea oil and gas business is no longer one of its highest-value opportunities. Our immediate concern has to be for the workers directly affected and the thousands more across the supply chain.
“Workers deserve firm guarantees and a credible jobs plan, not being passed around between multinational corporations while politicians pretend that another round of drilling will fix the problems.
“The North Sea is a mature basin with reserves in terminal decline. Most of what remains is oil, roughly 80% of which is put on tankers and shipped overseas, doing very little to improve our energy security. After 60 years of drilling, the UK has already burned most of its gas and employment will decline regardless of production levels.
“The choice is clear: an orderly, worker-led transition or allowing more chaotic corporate retreats like this one.”
Kristopher added:
“Scotland has the skills, ports and engineering expertise to become a renewable-energy powerhouse. We need public investment, strong domestic supply chains and guarantees that workers can transfer their skills without sacrificing their pay, pensions or conditions.
“That means creating secure, unionised jobs in offshore wind, decommissioning, grid infrastructure and manufacturing here in Scotland, not by selling workers the fantasy that a depleted oil basin can be restored to its peak.”