CHANCELLOR George Osborne walked into a fresh row with oil and gas bosses yesterday, claiming they had made "apocalyptic" predictions about the North Sea's future after his £10billion tax raid.
NEW shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint has vowed to listen to the concerns of the North Sea oil and gas industry - as she branded the UK Government's handling of its tax raid as worrying.
Activity on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) is predicted to be high and keep rising over the next few years but not without industry and government commitment, according to Norway's oil industry association.
The UK Government's controversial tax raid on the UK oil and gas industry was described as unwelcome and unhelpful at a gathering of business leaders in Aberdeen last night.
DRON and Dickson (D&D), a specialist in the design, supply and maintenance of hazardous area electrical equipment, said yesterday record new business had helped it achieve turnover growth of more than 14.5%.
North-east company SeaHold GEOSHIPS said yesterday it was expanding its fleet to three with the charter of two new multi-purpose offshore vessels worth a combined £80million.
Oil and gas firm Dana Petroleum said today it had taken on three new executive directors and will be recruiting more in coming months as it looks to grow its business.
More than 50% of oil and gas operators in the UK North Sea believe the March tax hike has harmed planned long-term investment in the basin, according to a report published today.
Workers were sent home deliberately from a North Sea oil platform to get round concerns about "overcrowded" living arrangements, a health-and-safety inspector claimed yesterday.