As far as Scotland’s self-sufficiency goes, Paragraphs 4 and 6 in this article are quite telling:
http://www.guardian.c...land.britishidentity1
As is this passage from the same article:
"In any case, whatever share of North Sea oil Scotland might finally grab, it would still struggle to be the new Ireland. Public spending is currently more than 50% of GDP and tax revenues about 40%, with the balance made up by other UK taxpayers."
The chart near the top of this article:
http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article4884.html
illustrates that although revenues are high (because of the high price of oil) production is about as low as it has been since commercial extraction got under way.
Chart C1 on page 2 of this document:
http://www.hmrc.gov.u...te_tax/table11_11.pdf
Shows government revenue from UK oil and gas production peaked in 2008-09 and now seems to be in decline. I don’t know of the proposed developments you mention but I was under the impression that revenues are forecast to fall as production declines.
All very selective, I know. Personally I would love to see full independence for Scotland. The current situation is outrageous. As well the debateable financial considerations, there is the “West Lothian Question” where Scottish MPs can (and do) vote in Westminster on matters that effect only the English whilst their English counterparts have no sway of matters determined by the devolved Scottish Parliament.
It’s all a dog’s dinner and the sooner it is sorted by Scotland gaining full independence, then applying to become a member of the EU (and making their own contributions) the better. It would be interesting to see if they have any dosh left over to provide their voters with free prescriptions and university courses.