North Sea industry chief calls on SNP to back new drilling projects at Aberdeen conference

Ahead of the SNP’s Aberdeen conference, David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, called for the party to provide "full-throated support" for new North Sea drilling projects like Rosebank and Jackdaw, stressing their role in Scotland’s energy security and climate-friendly supply chain. He noted that geopolitical shifts have placed energy resilience at the forefront of policy, without abandoning climate goals.

The appeal coincides with Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first major Scottish visit, during which he is expected to consider changes to the controversial energy profits levy to stimulate investment in both fossil fuels and renewables. At the conference, a motion led by SNP energy secretary Stephen Gethins and MSP Jack Middleton seeks to channel all oil and gas revenues into a fund for Scotland’s renewable sector, citing the carbon cost of imports.

A counter-proposal from the SNP trade-union group urges the Scottish government to press the UK for higher profit levies or explore devolved tax powers. While John Swinney has maintained conditional support for projects that pass climate-compatibility assessments, critics such as Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay accuse the SNP of indecision.