The Scottish Energy Minister is to meet with energy firms across the US oil capital.

Minister Fergus Ewing is to champion Scotland's oil and gas sector in a trade visit to Houston, Texas this week.

Mr Ewing said that industry and consumer confidence is vital given the current market conditions in the oil and gas sector. Newly published figures show that Scottish based oil and gas supply chain companies delivered a record £22.2 billion of sales in 2013, with sales to North America rising by over a third to £4.1 billion highlighting Scotland’s success in the US market.

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Mr Ewing said: "It is important that potential investors continue to have confidence in the world-renowned energy sector we have in Scotland, and this week I will speak directly with senior industry representatives emphasising the Scottish Government's support for the industry and championing Scotland’s excellent oil and gas expertise, workforce and companies.

"My objective is to make clear that Scotland's oil and gas wealth is not just in the resources that we extract, but the expertise and knowledge that we have developed. The international oil sector is currently facing significant challenges, but I believe firmly in the value that Scottish businesses deliver to partners, particularly in deep-water and offshore exploration areas, and their ability to overcome those challenges.

"Decades of research and development has been cultivated in the North Sea and is now being deployed globally, transferring to new and emerging exploration and production locations around the world."

(CD/MH)