Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-14228

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of increasing confidence in the industry and the comment by the chief executive of Premier Oil that "there is a bounce across the sector", what engagement it is having with the oil and gas firms to ensure that they are properly supported in recovery and realising potential.

We have always maintained there are significant opportunities remaining in the North Sea, even in the context of a low carbon transition, and that a strong and vibrant domestic offshore oil and gas industry will play an essential role in the future energy system we set out in our recently published Energy Strategy.

As Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, I meet regularly with key operators and supply chain companies in the sector and details of engagement with businesses in the sector are set out in the proactive release of Ministerial meetings . The Scottish Government’s refreshed Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Group, which I co-chair, provides another opportunity to have direct engagement with the sector.

However, it is important to note that our Enterprise Agencies, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, continue to work closely with Scottish companies to provide support and advice, and other assistance, to help businesses access international markets, including: the identification of market opportunities; market intelligence and strategy support; identification of business partners and finance options and the facilitation of connections and business relationships. We remain committed to working with the supply chain to be a key driver of competitiveness in the north sea and internationally.

Question reference: S5W-14234

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the projections from energy consultancy ,Wood Mackenzie, that North Sea oil and gas production will average 1.9 millions barrels per day in 2018, and what impact such production levels might have on Scotland's (a) export figures, (b) economy and (c) employment.

North Sea oil and gas production across 2018 is forecast to be the highest since 2010, reaching an estimated 1.9 million barrels per day, as outlined by global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. Major projects predicted to come onstream in 2018 such as Mariner and Clair Ridge will drive this increase.

These projections are in line with the sentiments expressed in the recent Oil & Gas UK (OGUK) 2017 Economic Report and Aberdeen, Grampian & Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) 27th Oil and Gas Survey, and DNV-GL oil and gas industry outlook 2018, which highlight the return of confidence to the sector.

The exact impact of the increase in production will depend on a number of factors, including the oil price, costs, and demand, but all else equal should benefit Scotland’s economy.

(a) Exports: The majority of oil and gas produced in Scotland is currently exported, and in 2016 the total value of crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and gas exports is estimated to be £13.3 billion. In recent years, the value of exports has decreased while production has increased due to lower oil and gas oil prices.

(b) Economy: Oil and gas production is estimated to be worth £9.2 billion to the Scottish economy in terms of its economic impact, with this being the equivalent of 5.8% of total Scottish GDP, in 2016.

(c) Employment: Increased production will help support the 115,000 jobs supported by the industry here in Scotland and aid the sector in its return to growth after a number of challenging years.

Question reference: S5W-14230

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Premier Oil’s Catcher oilfield is producing 20,000 barrels per day, and what impact this will have on employment.

Premier Oil's Catcher field obtained First Oil in December 2017 after successful installation of the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. On January 24 2018, Premier Oil announced that its first export cargo of oil from the field was lifted and sold at a premium to globally traded Brent crude, in-part due to the recent rise in the wholesale price of oil. It is indeed welcome that the field is currently producing an estimated 20,000 barrels per day whilst final tasks are being carried out. Output thereafter is expected to reach 60,000 barrels per day in the coming months. This development will help extent the lifetime of the North Sea industry which currently supports an estimated 115,000 jobs in Scotland and helps meet the majority of Scotland’s and the Uk’s primary energy needs.

Question reference: S5W-14229

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Royal Dutch Shell plans to redevelop its Penguins oilfield, and what impact this will have on employment.

Royal Dutch Shell's welcome announcement on 15 ^thJanuary 2018 adds to mounting evidence that the industry’s downturn has bottomed out, and that confidence is on the rise. The $1.2 billion redevelopment of the Penguins field - which will have an expected peak production of 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day - is the first new manned installation for Shell in the northern North Sea in almost 30 years. It is understood that the 300-400 jobs will be required to support the construction of the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, and once operational will support 70 jobs in supplying production activity .

Question reference: S5W-14654

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 21 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the discontinuation by Lufthansa of direct flights between Aberdeen and Frankfurt will have on (a) tourism, (b) business and (c) the economy in the north east, and what discussions it has had regarding attracting more direct overseas flights to operate from Aberdeen.

Securing and retaining routes is primarily the responsibility of Aberdeen Airport. The Scottish Government has not carried out any analysis of the impact on Lufthansa’s decision to end its Frankfurt-Aberdeen route. Transport Scotland, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland, provide appropriate support and data to airlines considering flying to Scotland. Marketing support is also provided to help new routes become sustainable. Officials had positive route development discussions with Aberdeen Airport on 14 February 2018. Work to secure new routes will continue at the Routes Europe event in April where officials will be supporting Scotland’s airports as well as promoting Scotland in their own discussions with airlines.

Question reference: S5W-14191

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 19 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin the provision of free sanitary products in schools, and how it will (a) work with and (b) support local authorities in carrying this out.

Our Programme for Government commitment is to provide access to free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities from August this year. Through our Access to Free Sanitary Products Working Group, the Scottish Government is currently exploring delivery options with key stakeholders, including COSLA. We are also in discussions to agree an appropriate level of financial support to enable effective delivery.

Question reference: S5W-14637

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Humza Yousaf on 14 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress of the first phase of the Aberdeen to Inverness Improvement Project.

Network Rail reached the first milestone on the Aberdeen and Inverness rail enhancement project with the completion of Forres station in October 2017. Network Rail is now moving forward with delivering the remaining improvements between Aberdeen and Inverurie, and Insch, by the end of 2019.

The Scottish Government’s significant investment in the route is paving the way for faster journeys and more frequent services for those who use this important line regularly.

This summer another major milestone will be reached when major engineering works are undertaken to double track a section of the railway which, once completed, will pave the way for the introduction of half-hourly services between Aberdeen and Inverurie in December 2019. This track and signalling work, which is being undertaken by Network Rail, requires a 14 week closure of the route between May and August 2018. To accommodate the closure, rail replacement bus services will operate between Aberdeen and Dyce.

I can confirm that later today, the ScotRail Alliance are launching a coordinated communications campaign to fully inform passengers well in advance about the closure of the route and what it means for them.

The ScotRail Alliance has consulted with customer groups, with one lengthy closure being the preferred customer option.

The ScotRail Alliance are also engaging with local businesses, local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships in the area to make sure that their travel needs are met during this period.

A temporary timetable is now available which will enable customers to check their own journey online and at stations.

Our track record on rail alongside our on-going future investment will truly transform the rail network and give passengers and freight users across rural and urban Scotland the best railway they’ve ever had.

Question reference: S5W-14003

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 6 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to (a) monitor and (b) control numbers of goosanders in order to protect (i) salmon and (ii) other freshwater fish populations.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is able to issue licences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the control of goosanders or other piscivorous birds if they are causing, or likely to cause, serious damage to fisheries or to inland waters.

Licences issued to fisheries to control goosanders include a requirement for the fishery to collect count data on the number of birds present and this information provides a useful means of measuring changes to numbers over time. Goosander numbers are also monitored through the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) data collected by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

In 2016, SNH published Commissioned Report 884: An update of the review on the impacts of piscivorous birds on salmonid populations and game fisheries in Scotland

(see https://www.nature.scot/snh-commissioned-report-884-update-review-impacts-piscivorous-birds-salmonid-populations-and-game).

The Report contains population estimates, and associated confidence limits, for four species of piscivorous birds, including goosander.

Question reference: S5W-14002

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 6 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Natural Heritage issues advice to salmon fishery districts on best practice for control measures for goosanders.

New applicants for licences to control goosanders and other piscivorous birds usually receive a site-visit from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Marine Scotland and/or Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture staff to provide advice on possible solutions to the problems being experienced as well as the requirements of the licensing process. If a licence is granted for a fishery it will include conditions on how, when and where control may take place.

SNH also provides online guidance on non-lethal measures of fishery protection (see https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/safeguarding-protected-areas-and-species/licensing/species-licensing-z-guide/birds-and-licensing/birds-licences-prevent-serious).

Question reference: S5W-14004

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that non-native, invasive species such as giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam have increased on river banks in Aberdeenshire due to greater seed distribution caused by Storm Frank in 2015, and what support can be provided to reverse this trend.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) recently funded a PhD study to look at long-term changes in riverside vegetation in Great Britain. This confirmed that the probability of occurrence of invasive non-native plants increased over time and with frequency of high flows, such as those caused by Storm Frank in 2015. Fisheries Trusts are coordinating action to control invasive non-native plants on a number of rivers in Aberdeenshire. On the River Deveron, invasive species control is part of the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative, funded by SNH and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Work on parts of the rivers Dee, Don and Urie has been funded with offset mitigation funding from the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project. Land managers can also apply for funding to control invasive non-native plants on their land through the Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme under the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Advice about other possible sources of funding can be found on SNH’s website, www.nature.scot.

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