The energy crisis has flooded the news in recent weeks with rocketing energy bills leaving people worried and uneasy about the future. One development, which could be part of seven wider oil and gas projects in the UK, is the government’s fossil fuel industry regulator ‘green-lighting’ a new oil and gas project in the North Sea. The Abigail oil field is set to be developed just off the east coast of Scotland.
While campaigners are raising concerns about the decision, which comes six months after the UK hosted the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, the move could be a huge boost for the country’s energy sector.
The new oil and gas project will see a significant increase in job opportunities in the UK if it gets off the ground. In fact, here at Petroplan, we have invested in opening new offices in Manchester, and expanding our already existing hubs in London, and the Southeast of England because of the confidence we have in the sector, across both renewable and non-renewable markets. This confidence is underlined as the operations director of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) told Sky News that oil and gas will continue to be part of the energy mix for decades to come.
Challenges to non-renewable energy expansion in the UK
There’s a realistic possibility that the Abigail oil field project may come to fruition, despite a similar project being abruptly halted last December. The Cambo oil field was due to be constructed just off the Shetland islands until the organisation that had a 30% non-operation stake in the project pulled out last minute in December 2021, meaning the project could no longer continue.
It is thought that the pressure from climate change activists, who have long been critical of the oil fields, caused the company to scrap their plans.
Some of this pressure and criticism relates to the supply and demand of oil and gas in the UK, with some researchers claiming that building oil and gas infrastructure in the UK would create a surplus amount of product. This, however, seems unlikely with skyrocketing consumer prices in the UK in a response to a surge in demand throughout Europe. These pressures are exacerbated by the current political tensions in Europe and the likely strategic direction of European and UK interactions with Russian oil and gas production and distribution interests.
How could non-renewable energy expansion benefit the UK?
Campaigners challenging oil and gas developments could sit in direct contrast with pressure on the government from MPs who believe new fossil fuel development is needed to reduce UK energy bills.
It is possible that experts underestimate the amount of time it will take to fully commit to renewable energy sources; therefore, non-renewable energy sources will in all probability still be vital for decades to come. In line with this, it is predicted that fossil fuel production around the globe is set to soar over the next decade.
Expanding oil and gas infrastructure in the UK can be an advantage for people in the UK, protecting them from energy shortages, rising energy bills and strengthening the country’s energy security strategy.
Developments such as the Abigail oil field will not only have a positive impact to the public, but also on the oil and gas job market in the UK. The project will fuel highly skilled job creation whilst also equipping oil and gas workers with knowledge and experience that will eventually be transferrable to the wider energy sector as the country looks to adopt more renewable energy sources.
Are you hiring for oil and gas jobs in the UK?
At Petroplan, we specialise in recruiting contractors and permanent employees for businesses across the energy sector, including the oil and gas industry. We have a highly experienced team of recruitment specialists in the UK who have a strong understanding of the market and the challenges it faces. As champions of talent we continue to provide our clients with exceptional talent solutions. Contact our team today to find out more about how we can help your recruitment.
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