The Firth of Forth is an estuary of Scotland’s River Forth, where the river flows into the North Sea, just south of Fife and north of Lothian.

Cluff has had discussions with Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing about the discovery’s potential contribution to the economy.

Energy is a hot topic in Scottish politics at the moment as the country moves towards potential independence from the UK, holding a referendum in September.

Treasury claims estimates of gas and oil reserves in the North Sea are exaggerated but the emergence of the potential Firth of Forth discoveries has not been counted in any of the predictions.

Cluff shied away from taking a political standpoint and claimed the discovery would have economic benefits on both sides of the border.

He recently met with chemical manufacturer Ineos at its Grangemouth refinery in a bid to persuade the group to switch from imported shale to Firth of Forth CSG to strengthen the long-term future of Cluff Natural Resources.

Cluff has spent more than 18 months setting up the business and preparing for the start of drilling but has had constant battles with the industry’s focus on shale.

He is looking to the government to provide incentives and match the support being offered to shale.