Prime Minister Theresa May visited the Oil & Gas Technology Centre at the end of April, to hear how technology is transforming the industry and helping to unlock the full potential of the UK North Sea.

The PM joined chairman Archie Kennedy, chief executive Colette Cohen, and Conservative candidate (for Aberdeen South) Ross Thomson at a meeting with leaders from the industry and local universities.

Mrs May described how her new Industrial Strategy will encourage and support the future development of the industry in the North Sea and globally.

She was then given a tour of the centre, meeting several representatives of technology companies to talk about their innovative solutions at first hand. From inspection drones to virtual-reality applications and offshore renewable-power solutions, she was told how technology is making a positive impact across the sector.

Ms Cohen said: “It was great to have the Prime Minister with us today to see how we’re inspiring, accelerating and funding technology that will transform the industry.

“We’re challenging how our industry works, reimagining the way we do things and using technology to lower costs, increase efficiency and improve recovery.

“At the same time, we also need a long-term vision, making sure that oil and gas are part of a balanced and integrated energy solution for the UK as we move to a low-carbon future.

“Technology has a vital role to play in this transition, and we are working with the industry and academia to co-invest in technologies that will make this vision a reality.”