New exploration for North Sea oil and gas gives new opportunities for the North East, according to Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell.

Alan Campbell, a member of the All Party Offshore Oil and Gas Group, met with new, smaller oil companies who are showing a renewed interest in North Sea oil and gas.

Alan Campbell said

"A number of smaller companies are finding that when the bigger oil companies move on they have usually only excavated a percentage of the reserves. New technology and expertise means the remaining oil and gas can be extracted relatively cheaply and the life of the North Sea is being prolonged significantly. This means jobs offshore but just as important jobs in the onshore maritime sector as rigs are adapted and reused. This is an important opportunity for the region and I want to make sure that Tyneside gets a share of the jobs that are being created."