First Minister Humza Yousaf has said the announcement of 27 new oil and gas licences is the “wrong move”.
Announcing the licences, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) said they have been awarded in areas prioritised because they have the potential to go into production more quickly than others.
It said the licences in the central and northern North Sea, and west of Shetland, were awarded first to let operators press ahead with their plans to explore and develop oil and gas resources.
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