INEOS to Speak with SNP to Make Case for Shale in Scotland

Petrochemicals company INEOS will take part in a Scottish National Party (SNP)’s conference in Aberdeen, saying that it plans to make the case for shale gas in Scotland. 

“We are delighted to be attending tomorrow’s conference. It will give us a chance to speak directly to the membership of the SNP who will be attending from all parts of Scotland. We believe that shale gas can be produced safely and could create thousands of jobs and bring substantial economic benefits to the nation” INEOS Shale Operations Director Tom Pickering said in a note released on Thursday. 

The Swiss company’s intervention is part of its ongoing shale gas information programme, which started earlier this year.

“At the public meetings I have attended people come to me and highlight safety concerns they have read about on the internet. Sadly there has been much misinformation put out about shale gas. So much so that those same people are then surprised when I tell them the Scottish Government’s own expert panel has already concluded that shale production is safe if best practice is followed” Pickering said. 

Earlier this week, INEOS agreed to buy all of the UK North Sea gas fields controlled by the LetterOne, the investment vehicle owned by Russian Businessman Mikhail Fridman. 

Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS chairman, said that the acquisition will be followed by other similar investments. INEOS is a new entrant to the North Sea.