Scotland votes NO. Stays part of UK

Scottish voters have decided against the independence from the union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To the question “Should Scotland be an independent country?”about 55 per cent voters of the oil rich country voted NO, with 45 per cent saying Yes.

Alistair Darling MP, Chair of the pro-union Better Together campaign said:

“I want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you to you, the volunteers and supporters who have put their heart and soul into this campaign.

“Over the past weeks and months you’ve turned out in droves to fight for our future. You’ve knocked on doors, made phone calls and had important conversations with your friends and families about how much better we are together. You’ve shown unity and dignity, strength and passion. You’ve embodied everything that our Scotland stands for.”

“This is your campaign. You’ve owned it every step of the way. You should be incredibly proud of yourselves. I certainly am.”

Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, and leader of the pro-independence campaign tweeted the following:

Let’s not dwell on the distance we’ve fallen short – let us dwell on the distance we have travelled

— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) September 19, 2014

 

Related: As Scots vote, Wood Mac assesses key issues for UK oil & gas sector

David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party congratulated Salmond on hard fought campaign.

He also said:“We have heard the voice of Scotland and now the millions of voices of England must also be heard.”

I’ve just spoken to Alex Salmond, congratulating him on a hard-fought campaign. I’m delighted the SNP will join talks on further devolution.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 19, 2014

 

Oil & Gas UK statement on Scottish Referendum result  

“In light of the ‘No’ vote in the Scottish Referendum, Oil & Gas UK looks forward to continuing working closely with both the UK and Scottish Governments towards the shared ambition of maximising economic recovery of the UK’s offshore oil and gas resource,” Oil & Gas UK, representing the offshore oil & gas industry firms in the UK said adding:”This vote does not and will not diminish the pivotal role played by the Scottish Government in supporting the offshore oil and gas industry and Oil & Gas UK looks for this to continue.” 

Following ‘No’ vote we look forward to continuing work closely with UK & Scottish Governments to maximise economic recovery of oil & gas. — Oil & Gas UK (@oilandgasuk) September 19, 2014

Malcolm Webb, Oil & Gas UK Chief Executive, said: “The Referendum campaign rightly revealed the important role the offshore oil and gas industry plays in our economy, both in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom. This is understandable given this industry remains the UK’s largest corporate taxpayer and largest industrial investor, and its crucial role in helping assure thousands of well-paid highly skilled jobs as well as our energy security.

“To safeguard the industry’s future, it is particularly important that that the government now presses swiftly ahead with fiscal reform as well as the implementation of Sir Ian Wood’s recommendations to maximise the economic recovery of our oil and gas resource. The industry must not delay either in a cross-sector effort to bring its escalating costs under control.

 12 – 24 billion barrels of oil and gas 

Webb went on to say: “There has been a great deal of discussion about how much oil and gas resource remains to be produced from the UK continental shelf. Oil & Gas UK’s position remains that there could be between 12 – 24 billion barrels of oil and gas still to recover but that the above three pivotal challenges need to be resolved if we are to stand any chance of reaching the top half of this range.

“We will continue to work with both UK and Scottish Governments on our mutual goals. This is not just to maximise the economic recovery of the substantial remaining potential of the UKCS oil and gas resource but also to strengthen its supply chain across Scotland and in all other parts of the United Kingdom.”

There has been around 50 years of exploration and production on the UK Continental Shelf. According to Oil & Gas UK,  in 2030, 70 per cent of the UK’s total primary energy will still come from oil and gas.

How Scotland voted, council by council, as shared on Twitter by The Economist:

How Scotland voted, council by council https://t.co/DHIApHioNu pic.twitter.com/9K29FrGrNZ

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) September 19, 2014

EY: Oil & Gas played pivotal role in referendum outcome

Commenting on the result of Scotland’s independence referendum, Colin Pearson, partner at Ernst & Young  Aberdeen, said: “The votes have been counted and verified and the ‘naws’ have it. Scotland will remain a part of the United Kingdom.

“Oil and gas was a key battleground in the independence debate and it stands to reason that the future of the UK Continental Shelf played a pivotal part in the outcome. It would seem inconceivable that the fate of the basin would now slip down the political agenda.

“For the oil & gas industry to flourish the findings of the Wood Review should be implemented as soon as possible and the impetus that has been created by the ongoing oil and gas fiscal review embraced. “We have previously commented that the basin is at a critical crossroads, and all stakeholders must ensure that it’s steered down the correct path.”

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