Leading oil economists have said that approving new North Sea developments will “significantly reduce” the need for gas imports and increase the UK’s energy independence.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon and her government coalition partner, Greens leader Patrick Harvie, have rejected calls to support increased production in the North Sea as disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven gas prices to unprecedented levels and pushed oil to a 14-year high.
However, Alex Kemp, professor of petroleum economics at Aberdeen University, and one of the world's most respected oil economists, said: "Any increase in our domestic output is worthwhile."
"The fields awaiting approval would reduce imports significantly if they are given the go-ahead," Mr Kemp told Michael Glackin at the Sunday Times.
"They wouldn't eliminate the need for imports entirely, but they would significantly enhance our energy security."
He added: "The delay in giving these fields the go-ahead is due to the prolonged process for approval, due to environmental considerations, which includes concerns about emissions form oil and gas production."
Mike Fulwood, senior research fellow with the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, said there were six developments in the pipeline, which if approved, could reduce gas imports by 15% a year.