Those were the words yesterday of Mark J. Thomas, North Sea regional president for the oil giant BP. Last week BP posted profits of $144 million after a loss of $1.4 billion in the previous year. When a BP exec says that kind of thing, you know the real situation is probably even more optimistic. Obviously, he wouldn’t want politicians thinking they could starting taxing them a bit. See these:
Refiners begin scramble for crude oil supplies. Now who do we know with lots of that? Oh yes, we do.
Apologies if this is getting repetitive but we need to keep reminding Unionists that the North Sea has a longer term future of profitability for a hopefully independent Scotland.
https://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/14826/price-battered-north-sea-oil-producers-rise-from-grave/
Talking-up Scotland 
You’d never guess it was worth continuing to explore the North Sea based on the British Media 🙂
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Do you think it has anything to do with undermining the case for independence?
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Aye everything to do with; but many still gullible or choose to deliberately not see past BBC level of analysis / reporting (as its impartial you see !) pppffff.
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Hi John, Hi all – I suspect the comments from the Regional President (North Sea) for BP are indeed carefully judged to impart confidence to investors but try to play down the (quite dramatic) recovery figures to reduce the prospect of HMRC coming to look for a slice of the cake. At risk of being repetitive myself I bet the Norwegian exchequer is paying close attention to extracting a fair share for the Norwegian coffers in a way that HMRC seem incapable of doing.
PS: Noted on BBC Scotland Business website a wee piece regarding Loganair starting scheduled flights between Aberdeen and DurhamTees-side Airport and Norwich Airport to service burgeoning offshore energy business exchanges:
Loganair has announced new services linking Aberdeen with Durham Tees Valley Airport and Norwich.
The Scottish airline believes the flights, from 15 October, will attract passengers working in the offshore energy industries.
The routes will be operated by 33-seat Saab 340 aircraft.
Durham Tees Valley chief executive Steve Gill said it was a “real shot in the arm for the airport” and good news for the business community.
I refer folk to the very positive comments from Steve Gill (Durham TeesValley Chief Exec). This reminded me of a recent piece of work by Commonweal which indicated real positives for the regional economies of Northern England when Scotland achieves Indy. We’re already managing to bring benefits to our friends in Northern England under the current inadequate arrangements – yet further reason to go full ahead for Indy and bring more business and trade to the Northern and Eastern English regions who have also suffered at the hands of London Tory/Lab Govt indifference.
Thanks, Ludo
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Ludo, fascinating extras. Thanks again. I flew Loganair to Shetland once in an unpressurised Shorts 360 just feet above the ground it seemed – scary
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I love the wee planes, with propellers, and banking all over the place. Not been on one in years! It’s all those big jumbo things now with masses of airport security, so I don’t enjoy it anymore,,, I should be flying local eh?
Interesting stuff this, lots of oil, lots of investment, new scheduled flights,,, nothing to see here??
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You have a better stomach than me
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There is indeed ‘life left’ in the ‘North Sea’ but I strongly suggest using the term ‘North Sea’ only in its strict geographic sense when referring to oil and gas – it is the ‘mature’ oil and gas province . Don’t lump in the relatively ‘immature’ area that is the ‘East Atlantic Margin’ (or ‘West of Shetland’). This is a whole different ball game that merits distinction.
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Good point. I have noticed before journos including west of Shetland in North Sea.
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