Scottish first minister returns with investment commitments from Chinese companies for work in the North Sea. File Photo by UPI/Shutterstock/James Jones Jr.

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- With deals extending into the Scottish energy sector, Edinburgh said it secured more than $80 million in partnerships following an outreach effort in China.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon returned from a five-day trade mission with partnerships worth an estimated $85 million. The level of interest seen from Chinese companies, she said, shows Scotland is open for business.


"From energy to education, Scotland can offer exciting new innovation collaborations that deliver a boost in business growth for both countries," she said in a statement.

Sturgeon met last week with senior representatives from three of the largest Chinese oil companies during a trip that led her from Beijing to Hong Kong.

Scotland during last year's failed bid for independence said it could support its economy with oil and gas revenue while generating power from the renewable energy sector. The government said that, while low crude oil prices leaves its energy sector depressed, overall production from North Sea basins is expected to increase by more than 15 percent by 2019.

Data published in June by the Scottish government said the North Sea remains the largest oil producer and second largest natural gas producer in Europe.

Sturgeon said she held discussions with three major, but unnamed, Chinese oil companies about North Sea work during her overseas visit.