UK ministers urged to give Scotland's offshore energy assets 'critical status' to protect them from Russia
Three members of the Conservative shadow cabinet have now written to the UK government
UK ministers have been urged to give Scotland's offshore pipelines and other energy assets "critical national infrastructure status" as a priority to protect them from growing threats from states such as Russia and China.
Three members of the Conservative shadow cabinet have now written to the UK government warning offshore energy infrastructure, both off the coast of Scotland and around the rest of the UK, must be better protected.
They highlighted reports of Russian vessels lingering over the FLAGS and Frigg UK pipelines, which bring vital gas supplies ashore at the St Fergus terminal in Aberdeenshire.
The Conservative politicians said any disruption to these pipelines could have serious consequences for Britain’s economy and energy security.
Harriet Cross, the shadow Scottish secretary, said: “Scotland is on the frontline of the growing threats from states such as Russia and China.
“Energy security is national security, and reports of vessels from these hostile nations operating close to vital pipelines off our coast should set alarm bells ringing for Labour ministers.
“These pipelines bring the gas that millions of households and businesses depend on. Any disruption would have catastrophic and potentially long-lasting consequences.
“Labour ministers must take stronger action to deter hostile states and ensure that Scotland’s offshore energy assets receive critical national infrastructure status.”
Some energy infrastructure covering the generation, storage and transmission of power and fuels, both on and off-shore, is classed as critical national infrastructure and enjoys added security protection.
But oil and gas assets, as well as offshore wind farms, are currently classed as commercial resources. Offshore trade body OEUK previously called for these designations to be reviewed.
James Cartlidge, the Tory shadow defence secretary, said: “The sighting of Russian and Chinese vessels in British waters underlines why we cannot afford to be complacent about the threats to the realm.
“Yet at last week’s Budget, Labour again failed to commit to spending 3 percent of GDP on defence. Kicking the can down the road is leaving our armed forces without the certainty they need.
“National security and energy security go hand in hand. Protecting Britain’s vital infrastructure and giving energy assets critical national infrastructure status must be a priority, not another promise deferred until the next spending review.”
Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy security secretary, said Scotland’s offshore infrastructure “must be given the protection it deserves”.
“While hostile nations pose a growing threat to our undersea pipelines and offshore assets, Labour and the SNP continue to undermine the very industry that keeps the lights on for businesses and families,” he said.
“The ongoing refusal to back Rosebank, and the ban on new oil and gas licences is putting our energy security, thousands of skilled jobs and billions of pounds of investment at risk.
“Scotland’s energy infrastructure must be given the protection it deserves. That means recognising offshore energy assets as critical national infrastructure and backing our domestic oil and gas industry.”
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