Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Shell and Exxon launch sale of North Sea assets
Shell and Exxon Mobil have launched a simultaneous sale process of a large package of offshore natural gas assets in the southern UK and Dutch North Sea, three industry and banking sources said.
Investment bank Jefferies was hired to run the sale, which could raise over $2billion, the sources told Reuters.
The sales are part of the two companies' drive to dispose of ageing oil and gas assets in an effort to cut costs and as they focus on newer, larger projects around the world.
Shell, Exxon and Jefferies declined to comment.
Drones spotted near North Sea platforms
Norway’s offshore watchdog has urged “increased vigilance” after unidentified drones were spotted near North Sea platforms.
The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) says there has recently been a spike in the recorded number of observations of drones or aircraft on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
The organisation has called for operators and vessel owner to keep their wits about them.
Energy Voice reports that Equinor (LON: EQNR) is one of those to have notified the PSA about drone sightings.
Businesses call for clarity on deposit return scheme
Pressure is mounting on the Scottish Government over its flagship recycling policy after another business raised concerns about the lack of clear information.
Scotmid told The Times that there needed to be “absolute clarity” about how the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) would operate amid growing concerns businesses are going to end up footing significant costs.
As part of the plan, consumers will be charged an extra 20p when buying single-use drinks containers such as cans. They can then get the sum back when they return the bottle or can to a designated recycling point.
Householders urged to read meters before October price rise
Householders are being advised to read and submit their energy meter readings before Saturday ahead of prices rising.
The BBC reports this will stop suppliers from from estimating usage and charging a higher rate for energy used before 1 October.
From next month, the price cap for the average annual household energy bill will rise from £1,971 to £2,500 - an increase of 27%.
Scottish ferries contract hit by fresh delay
One of the two vessels being built for CalMac as part of a controversial ferries contract has been delayed until 2024, according to the BBC.
The vessel, currently known as hull 802, was expected to enter service between October and December next year.
But Ferguson Marine has now said that the vessel will not be ready until the first quarter of 2024.
The two vessels, hull 802 and the Glen Sannox, will be more than £150million over budget and five years late.
Borrowing costs for UK companies are climbing
Borrowing costs for British companies have surged as the fallout from Friday’s mini-budget continues to reverberate around bond markets.
Sterling corporate bond prices look set for their biggest monthly fall since the late 1990s, despite Bank of England moves to try to stabilise the market.
The Times reports that the Markit iBoxx Sterling Corporate Bond Index has fallen by 10.2% so far in September to a price of 296, its lowest level since the start of 2016 and on course for the biggest monthly slide since at least 1999.