This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6977378.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Hands off' warning to SNP on oil | 'Hands off' warning to SNP on oil |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish Government will not be allowed to gain control over North Sea oil revenues, a UK minister has warned. | The Scottish Government will not be allowed to gain control over North Sea oil revenues, a UK minister has warned. |
| Before the election, the SNP said it wanted early talks with Westminster about the transfer of responsibility to the Scottish Parliament. | Before the election, the SNP said it wanted early talks with Westminster about the transfer of responsibility to the Scottish Parliament. |
| But Scotland Office minister David Cairns will tell an oil conference that the UK Government has "no intention" of devolving control of oil and gas. | But Scotland Office minister David Cairns will tell an oil conference that the UK Government has "no intention" of devolving control of oil and gas. |
| It comes as analysts suggest production is down despite massive investment. | It comes as analysts suggest production is down despite massive investment. |
| Introducing needless uncertainty into an £11bn industry which supports half a million jobs is not an option David CairnsScotland Office minister | Introducing needless uncertainty into an £11bn industry which supports half a million jobs is not an option David CairnsScotland Office minister |
| Mr Cairns will deliver his warning during a speech at the Offshore Europe Exhibition in Aberdeen. | Mr Cairns will deliver his warning during a speech at the Offshore Europe Exhibition in Aberdeen. |
| He will tell delegates: "The interests of both Scotland and the UK are best served through continued economic union and the benefits which accompany a UK-wide approach. | He will tell delegates: "The interests of both Scotland and the UK are best served through continued economic union and the benefits which accompany a UK-wide approach. |
| "Our thinking on this issue is therefore unequivocal - introducing needless uncertainty into an £11bn industry which supports half a million jobs is not an option for the UK Government." | "Our thinking on this issue is therefore unequivocal - introducing needless uncertainty into an £11bn industry which supports half a million jobs is not an option for the UK Government." |
| In his report on the SNP's first 100 days in power, First Minister Alex Salmond said meetings over oil revenues were being sought - and that his administration was also investigating the arrangements Northern Ireland has on energy powers. | In his report on the SNP's first 100 days in power, First Minister Alex Salmond said meetings over oil revenues were being sought - and that his administration was also investigating the arrangements Northern Ireland has on energy powers. |
| Output down | Output down |
| But Mr Cairns will warn that North Sea oil is a UK resource and the UK Government has "no intention of devolving oil and gas powers to Holyrood" and there is a "vast array of sound reasons" to block any bid to transfer control. | But Mr Cairns will warn that North Sea oil is a UK resource and the UK Government has "no intention of devolving oil and gas powers to Holyrood" and there is a "vast array of sound reasons" to block any bid to transfer control. |
| Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, the Labour MP insisted: "If we make the right decisions today and tomorrow, we can maximise the benefits of the North Sea for the entire UK economy." | |
| Meanwhile, the monthly Royal Bank of Scotland oil index puts the average daily output of oil in June at 1.263 million barrels worth £45.3m a day, or 6% down on the previous month. | Meanwhile, the monthly Royal Bank of Scotland oil index puts the average daily output of oil in June at 1.263 million barrels worth £45.3m a day, or 6% down on the previous month. |
| Combined daily oil and gas production is put at 2.243 million barrels of oil equivalent worth £69m. | Combined daily oil and gas production is put at 2.243 million barrels of oil equivalent worth £69m. |
| Although some of the decrease is for seasonal reasons, including summer maintenance shutdowns, the figure for oil alone is down 11.4% on June last year, and the combined oil and gas figure is down 12.9% | Although some of the decrease is for seasonal reasons, including summer maintenance shutdowns, the figure for oil alone is down 11.4% on June last year, and the combined oil and gas figure is down 12.9% |
| The bank noted: "The year-on-year decline in oil and gas production in the North Sea continued through June, despite near-record investment in 2006." | The bank noted: "The year-on-year decline in oil and gas production in the North Sea continued through June, despite near-record investment in 2006." |