The UK Government is vowing to do “everything possible” to ensure the north-east’s flagship carbon capture project at St Fergus “remains on track”. Energy minister Michael Shanks tried to wave away fears on Thursday that the shock exit of Storegga – the key backer of the Acorn project – could hinder the multi-million-pound scheme. The company revealed plans to sell its stake at the the development in December, threatening the loss of around 18,000 North Sea jobs. But Mr Shanks told us the project is “still on track” to move forward as planned. “There is a significant number of jobs being created right now, thousands of jobs.