Key figures in the oil and gas industry have held a meeting with government ministers today, 03 June.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse and Economy Secretary Keith Brown joined with oil industry leaders in Aberdeen to discuss creating a "competitive and supportive business environment" for the sector.

Industry representatives included Nexen and EnQuest, trade unions, industry body Oil and Gas UK and regulator the Oil and Gas Authority.

At the meeting, Mr Brown updated stakeholders on progress on the £24.5 million support package announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this year, and listened to how those in the industry are adapting to the sustained period of low prices.

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Updates included:

• Training programmes commissioned by the Transition Training Fund to date have created around 340 employment opportunities across Scotland.

• Around 650 individuals have registered with SDS for transition training support and almost 100 workers have already received confirmation of training funding.

• Scottish Enterprise continues to prioritise funding to reduce research and development risks and deliver specialist expertise to oil and gas firms as they seek to take forward new projects.

Mr Brown said: "As I said during the first economy debate of the new Parliament earlier this week, visiting the North East to meet key figures in the oil and gas industry has been a huge priority for me and I am pleased to be in Aberdeen today for a series of meetings with some the of the industry’s most senior stakeholders.

"I recognise the importance of the oil and gas industry to the Scottish economy. My aim is to continue the close engagement he developed and to work with the industry, Oil & Gas UK, the Oil & Gas Authority, DECC and the unions to overcome the current challenges facing the sector and secure its long term future."

(LM)