Shell wants Scotland to remain in UK for investment stability

LONDON, March 6 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell Plc has become the second oil heavyweight to urge Scotland to stayin the United Kingdom, a new setback for the campaign forScottish independence.

Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurden said a vote forindependence on Sept. 18 would mean greater uncertainty for theenergy industry, given the important role of North Sea oil andgas.

His concerns follow comments by some of Britain's leadingfinancial services firms about the risks to their operationsfrom a vote for independence.

Van Beurden said on Wednesday at a company event in Londonthat he valued "the continuity and stability" that the UKoffered, arguing for its continued membership of the EuropeanUnion and Scotland remaining part of the country.

"We're used to operating in uncertain political and economicenvironments. But, given a choice, we want to know as accuratelyas possible what investment conditions will look like 10 or 20years from now," he said, in comments reported by the BBC.

"That's the chief reason we're in favour of the UKmaintaining its long-established place at the heart of theEuropean Union: it provides greater investment stability andcertainty ... It's for similar reasons that we'd like to seeScotland remain part of the United Kingdom."

Shell is the second oil major to voice doubts about theimpact of Scottish independence.

The boss of BP, a big investor in the North Seawaters and Britain's country's second-biggest oil company,warned last month that Scottish independence could cause"uncertainties" for his company.

Several financial services companies have also raisedconcerns publicly about the risks of Scotland ending its307-year tie with England.

State-backed Lloyds Banking Group said on Wednesdayit could face significant cost increases if Scotland votes tobecome independent.

Edinburgh-based insurance and pensions heavyweight StandardLife and part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland have also warnied of the risks of Scottish independence.

Standard Life is so far the only major company to warn itcould move partly out of Scotland if Scots split from the UK.