Deepwater drilling safety focus of Commons inquiry

BP wants to drill in a field 60 miles off Shetland

Oil industry figures have been defending the safety regime in the North Sea in the aftermath of the Gulf of Mexico disaster.

They have been giving evidence to the Commons energy and climate committee which is investigating deepwater drilling safety regulations.

The committee is hearing evidence about the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion.

Witnesses are also giving evidence on the implications for deepwater drilling off the west coast of Shetland.

The Deepwater Horizon disaster killed 11 people and caused the worst oil spill in history.

BP wants to drill in a field 60 miles off Shetland.

Greenpeace has said an accident off Scotland similar to the Deepwater Horizon explosion would "wreak havoc".

Four Greenpeace activists were arrested last week after giving up their occupation of a drilling rig operated on behalf of Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy off Greenland.