A boss at Equinor yesterday reinforced the Norwegian energy group's commitment to developing the Rosebank oil project.
More than 250 people from around 140 UK companies attended a supply-chain event in Aberdeen centred on the west of Shetland scheme.
Arne Gurtner, senior vice-president for UK and Ireland offshore at Equinor, said the meeting showed the firm's "clear intention" to forge ahead with Rosebank.
There were reports in the press at the weekend that the Oslo-listed company could be reconsidering its plan for the £4.5billion scheme following the Chancellor's decision to hit the sector with a controversial windfall tax.
But, speaking to Energy Voice yesterday, Mr Gurtner described the claims as "a bit of speculation".
He said: "This is an awfully-complex project, with long-term investment, development and engineering. It will potentially create value over decades.
"As it is with every investment we make anywhere in the world, we want to see that they are not at risk. That's when we look to the fiscal frameworks, and we have to assess that.
Clear intention
"But this event here is a clear intention of going ahead."
Mr Gurtner added: "Our intentions and ambitions are very clear and we're actively seeking engagement with suppliers."
Chancellor Rishi Sunak met with North Sea producers in Aberdeen yesterday, and they told him that the levy risks undermining attempts to attract cash to the city.
Mr Gurtner said: "My request to Mr Sunak would be continued support for broad energy investments into the UK, ranging from offshore wind and low-carbon projects, but also upstream projects too."
Included within the energy profits levy was a large rise in the investment allowance, taking total relief on spending to 91.25%.
Analysts have suggested that the mechanism could accelerate the development of Rosebank, which is estimated to be capable of producing 300million barrels of oil, making it one of the largest untapped reserves in UK waters.
The Knarr FPSO will be used to produce Rosebank.
Chancellor in Aberdeen
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Mr Sunak did not have an easy time of it in Aberdeen yesterday.
The Telegraph says that oil and gas bosses rounded on the Chancellor over his new windfall tax at their private 40-minute meeting as they step up efforts to shape the policy before legislation is passed.
Executives warned that the higher levy on profits will make the UK a less-attractive prospect and was forcing them to rethink investment plans just as the Government tries to boost domestic energy supplies, sources said.
Shell was said to have described the tax as a "negative" signal to investors.
No-one held back," said one industry source. "Larger companies said it showed the UK was not a stable place."
Another source added: "The Chancellor sort of bounced in bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and he went out with the tail between his legs. There was annoyance with where things are going."
Although Labour had been pushing for a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers for months, the details of Mr Sunak's levy took the offshore industry by surprise when they were unveiled.
The sector had been expecting a one-off hit, but the extra tax will remain in place until the end of 2025 unless oil prices fall back substantially. This could lead to a £17.5billion drain on the profits of North Sea operators between now and then. The extent of this cash raid could do untold damage to the north-east economy.
Chamber view
And there was further anger when it emerged that the new levy will not be applied to electricity generators, with a UK Government source saying: "The direction of travel is away from a windfall tax on generators because the sector is just too complex and it could clobber investment...it turns out it's just too complex to work out who has made how much excess profit."
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "This disclosure is quite staggering. Clearly it's somehow much less complex to hammer the North Sea oil and gas producers who underpin the Aberdeen economy and will be the key investors in achieving our energy-transition ambitions.
"The Chamber has repeatedly made the point on behalf of its members and the wider north-east business community that an uncertain tax regime will act as a disincentive to invest on the UK Continental Shelf, putting at risk energy security, local jobs and energy-transition activities.
"Mr Sunak said so himself, just before his U-turn in announcing the energy profits levy. The Chancellor stated: "The obvious impact of a windfall tax would be to deter investment - it is as simple as that. At this moment, I want to see more investment in the North Sea, not less. Last year we saw the lowest amount of investment on record in the North Sea.'
"We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure our nation's future energy security and regional prosperity while achieving our climate goals. This requires huge investment, much of which will come from existing businesses in the energy eco-system. We must not scare them away.
"Vitally, one lever that both UK and Scottish governments have to rebalance the situation is to back the Aberdeen region and its business community by supporting the ambitious North East Green Freeport proposal submitted this week."
Back the North East Green Freeport bid
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is drafting an open letter of support which businesses can sign to demonstrate their backing for the freeport.
Further information about the freeport bid can be found at www.northeastscotlandgreenfreeport.com