(WO) – The UK authorities’s choice to take care of the Vitality Income Levy (EPL) at a 78% headline tax fee continues to cloud funding planning for North Sea operators, in keeping with Alan Stewart, Aberdeen-based accomplice at accountancy and advisory agency MHA.
Stewart stated the absence of any coverage motion leaves corporations with out the predictable long-term framework wanted to commit capital to new tasks. “The uncertainty dealing with the sector stays unchanged,” he famous. “Corporations can’t plan successfully with no secure long-term framework, and at present’s end result does little to deal with the hesitation already evident throughout funding selections.”
Operators have repeatedly warned that the levy—launched through the post-Ukraine worth spike and prolonged to 2030—has paused developments, elevated threat premiums and compelled portfolio rebalancing away from the UK Continental Shelf. Stewart stated the broader trade continues to really feel the consequences.
“A 78% tax fee continues to forged a protracted shadow over exercise, pausing tasks, slowing commitments and weakening confidence all through the UK’s wider vitality ecosystem,” he stated.
Stewart added that the dearth of readability impacts greater than upstream producers. Provide-chain companies, native contractors and regional economies all face a chronic interval of warning as operators delay selections. “Stability is crucial for sustaining safe home provide and for giving companies the arrogance to spend money on each present manufacturing and future applied sciences,” he stated.
He warned that with no “constant and sturdy method,” the UK dangers deepening the slowdown at a time when vitality safety, funding visibility and long-term planning are important.
Picture: Shell
