The oil companies are beginning to look like the banks. During the good years, they cream off ridiculous profits with huge bonuses paid to senior management and directors. And in the bad times they get out of the begging bowl to ask for more money from the government.
North Sea
The Second North Sea Oil Boom
Happy Environment Day, story number three. The record oil price could cause a second oil boom in the North Sea. The popular view is that the UK’s share of the North Sea is in decline, with energy reserves diminishing rapidly about 35 years after the oilfields were first exploited. However, there is a growing body … Read More
Greater Scots Control of Oil “Makes Sense”
So the political row over North Sea oil continues. The concept of Scotland having more say over its oil and gas assets makes “common sense”, according to Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, responding to the “hands off” warning from Westminster (see yesterday’s blog). Mr Salmond said: “You have to glance across the North Sea to … Read More
Shell and Exxon Sell UK Assets
Shell and Exxon’s UK subsidiary Esso have put up their selected assets in the UK North Sea for sale, following depletion in reserves, high costs and obsolete facilities. The companies have also entered into exclusive negotiations with UK oil company Fairfield Energy Ltd. to unload their Dunlin fields interests. Royal Dutch Shell reportedly stated that … Read More