Oil and gas
With decades of experience in oil and gas and abundant renewable energy resources, Scotland is the natural supply chain partner for your energy project.
96% of UK crude oil and NGL production
Oil and gas fields in Scotland account for 96% of UK crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) production
63% of UK natural gas production
Oil and gas fields in Scotland account for 63% of UK natural gas production
£17.5 billion total sales of oil and gas
Total sales value of oil and gas produced in Scotland is estimated to be £17.5 billion
Scottish Government Oil and Gas Production Statistics 2016-17 estimates
Why trade Scotland?
5 reasons why Scotland excels in the oil and gas sector
- Scotland has over 50 years of achievement and our expertise is sought by companies across the world
- We're used to working in the harsh North Sea and are equipped to maximise recovery in the most inhospitable regions of the world
- Innovation is our lifeblood so we can help your company with novel solutions to make the most of oil and gas resources quickly and efficiently
- We're already trading with the rest of the world – our companies are used to international trade and benefit from our extensive global support network
- Scotland is Europe's oil capital - Aberdeen is a global hub for the industry so you’ll have easy access to new markets elsewhere in the world
"We're investing in Aberdeen through a couple of our verticals. We see Aberdeen as the mecca for oil and gas service companies."
Marc Broussard, commercial director, One Diamond
Connect to Scotland's supply chain
Scottish companies have overcome some of the most challenging conditions in the world.
As a result, we have around 2,000 supply chain companies at the cutting edge of everything from drilling and safety to enhanced recovery and decommissioning.
Through our partnerships and networks, we can help your company access Scotland’s vast and collaborative oil and gas supply chain.
This is backed up by committed financial support and a concentration of specialist R&D facilities. The result is a true centre for excellence in oil and gas that continues to create.
Global reputation
Scotland's global reputation for oil and gas expertise means we're doing more and more global business.
New markets and trade partners are emerging all the time in key regions across the world, including Europe, North America, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific.
Scottish Energy Ports across the country which offer a range of infrastructure, facilities, skills and supply chain to support the oil and gas, decommissioning, subsea and renewables industries.
The right people, resources, expertise and experience
Institutions such as Robert Gordon University (RGU), the University of Aberdeen and Forth Valley College are continually taking their training out to growing markets like Nigeria and Senegal.
Aberdeen Drilling School now have training centres in Oman, Malaysia and Indonesia. The University of Aberdeen, in partnership with RGU, launched the UK's first Masters in oil and gas decommissioning in 2016.
Our reputation for safety and reliability is widely recognised too. In an international survey, 71% of respondents say they see Scots as the most dependable workers in the industry. A similar number believe Scotland is a leading training ground for the industry.
Scottish training and safety expertise has made a positive impact on the world. Our drive to innovate means we are constantly coming up with more and better ways to upskill your workforce and helping you to improve reliability.
By investing here you'll get the chance to work with sector experts in universities that are committed to forging strong bonds with industry.
From our world-leading training facilities to innovative companies working at every stage of the supply chain, Scotland's oil and gas industry will let you make the most of your investment. And we'll be here to support your company every step of the way.
Oil and gas opportunities
Scotland: the home of subsea engineering
Did you know the North Sea accounts for 50% of all global subsea wells and 40% of installations?
Scottish inventors have revolutionised the world on countless occasions and the subsea sector is no exception. Our unprecedented experience has allowed us to nurture world-class talent for this technologically demanding industry.
Our subsea supply chain connects you to the best facilities, technologies and innovative minds to meet your business challenges.
“Scotland has the largest concentration of subsea engineering in the world, with Aberdeen recognised globally as a centre of subsea excellence. A stronger supply chain will generate jobs, opportunities and wealth for Scotland as well as securing our world-leading position in subsea.”
Neil Gordon, chief executive, Subsea UK
Our current action plan has been designed on Scotland's existing strengths in subsea engineering, helping our oil and gas companies find new opportunities at home and abroad.
Download Scotland’s Subsea Engineering Action Plan (PDF, 371KB)
Scottish expertise. Global reach.
Scottish companies offer pioneering drilling technology and well management capabilities, specialising in directional drilling, enhanced oil recovery and marginal field development.
Our trusted expertise in well integrity management, drilling safety and reservoir monitoring can help you guard against accidents, which means you’re given peace of mind, without compromising on efficiency.
Our companies can also keep your operations producing for longer with enhanced recovery techniques, directional drilling and HPHT technology. Essentially, you get the most out of your assets without having to risk starting new projects.
Aberdeen based TWMA waste management operate everywhere from the United States to the United Arab Emirates. The company offers a diverse range of waste management services, such as drill cutting management, slops treatment and waste audit.
Perth-based Merlin ERD supply extended reach drilling engineering expertise to the world's biggest oil and gas markets.
We're taking our drilling expertise out into the world to help train and benefit companies in other markets.
Aberdeen Drilling School now operates its internationally-recognised well control training in five markets, including Muscat, Oman and Malaysia. 1700 people take their course every year. They also welcome more than 650 students a year at their Kuala Lumpur training location.
Inspection. Repair. Maintenance.
Scotland is a world leader in inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM). This means that we can make your platforms and topsides last longer, work more efficiently and run smoothly.
Our efforts in inspection are focused on efficiency and reliability. They are driven by technological solutions that cut down on the manpower and time needed to conduct routine and unplanned inspection operations.
Livingston-based Cyberhawk was the first company to deploy unmanned drones for the purposes of inspection in the North Sea. The innovative drones and iHawk software suite provide end-to-end solutions for oil and gas producers.
Results showed this technique proved 20 times more efficient than traditional inspection methods, and was half the cost of traditional inspection methods.
Scotland’s companies, such as Weir Group, the Wood Group and Global Energy Group lead the way in repair expertise, providing high quality and precision engineering in every corner of the globe.
Many companies, such as Bibby Offshore and Whittaker Engineering, are experts in providing bespoke modifications on rig. They can conduct complicated upgrading work without the need to bring components or structures back on shore, minimising disruptions to your operations.
If you have any questions or want to talk with one of our advisers, we're always ready to help.