First Minister Alex Salmond has been accused of ducking the issue of Scotland’s long-term oil wealth raised this week by north-east oil magnate Sir Ian Wood.
On Wednesday the Press and Journal’s Energy Voice website revealed the former Wood Group boss believed Scotland would be better of within the UK.
Having remained neutral on the referendum, Sir Ian said he decided to speak up as he wanted the best for future generations.
He accused the Scottish Government of massively overestimating oil reserves which could fall away within 15 years, hitting jobs and the economy.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont told First Minister Alex Salmond that Sir Ian had warned the government had overestimated oil and gas production by between 45% and 60%, and North Sea revenues by £2billion a year.
She said: “The first minister recognised that Sir Ian Wood is an authority, but if he says something he doesn’t want to hear he simply ignores it. That’s not good enough.
“The first minister has rightly praised Sir Ian Wood in the past and it’s for the public to judge why he disagrees with him now.”
Mr Salmond said while Sir Ian was an authority on oil and gas, he was not the only one.
He said 15billion to 16.5billion barrels could be extracted up to 2050, rising to 24billion in following years.
Mr Salmond said: “Every other country in the world would give their eye teeth for such a substantial resource, so why do the Labour Party and the Labour Party’s allies think it is a great curse on Scotland?”
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said Sir Ian was not out to win votes, just give the Scottish people the facts.
Ms Davidson added: “Throughout the whole debate the First Minister has twisted facts and ducked hard truths and simply closed his ears to anything that doesn’t fit his lifelong obsession with independence.”
She asked if he conceded Sir Ian’s point that young voters should be aware that by the time there are middle-aged there will be little oil and gas production, with a serious impact on jobs, the economy and public services.
In response, Mr Salmond said Aberdeen University oil expert Professor Alex Kemp had forecast there were “125 known, existing discoveries” which would still be undeveloped in 2050.
Mr Salmond added: “Can Ruth Davidson not admit that this is a long-term business that will be with us for generations to come?” he said.