Yes, they are committed to The North Sea. But just read your quote from the Chairman again. This time, actually read what he said. Then read what his Chief Executive said..

The Northumberland base may not be needed, but if it is, it demonstrates that an independent Scotland would not have "any major implications" and shows their "commitment to The North Sea."

In any event, Reckless Alex would give them unsupportable tax breaks in order to keep some Aberdeen operations going, so some of the jobs would remain. Just won't pay the welfare, health and social care bills...

Joking apart, I'm not in either camp. I don't want to keep propping up Scottish social costs if there is some bugger else willing to do it. I don't care who runs the bloody place. It has a Parliament anyway. I genuinely don't think the voters have enough information in order to give an informed vote. I also think a stable region of a stable country wanting independence is a laughing stock in these global economy times.

If Scotland were a business, (and in some respects it is,) it would fall foul of the recommendations of The Higgs Report 2003, requiring non executive directors to be familiar with sufficient facts and figures to cast an informed vote.