Shell Wants Scotland To Stay In UK As Oil Firms Opt For Stability

Van Beurden said he valued the continuity and stability that the UK offered, arguing for its continued inclusion of Scotland and membership of the European Union.

"We'd like to see Scotland remain part of the United Kingdom," Van Beurden told a company event in London on Wednesday evening as reported by the BBC.

"We're used to operating in uncertain political and economic environments. But, given a choice, we want to know as accurately as possible what investment conditions will look like 10 or 20 years from now."

Currency, Tax Concerns

Scotland's Energy Minister Fergus Ewing offered to meet Shell to discuss the future of the oil and gas industry if Scotland votes to end its 307-year tie with England.

"An independent Scotland with full control of its economy and huge resources will offer an attractive and stable environment for businesses in the offshore and other sectors," Ewing said in a statement.

Norway's Statoil, also a major operator in the North Sea, said it stood by a statement made by industry organisation Oil & Gas UK, which said it was essential the independence debate did not create any instability.