Some people have been discussing how the project might not actually benefit the UK’s energy security. They think that since the Norwegian state-owned company Equinor will be producing the oil for export, it won’t have any impact on lowering energy costs.
There’s some interesting news about the government’s stance on the legal challenges surrounding the development of the UK’s largest untapped oil and gas field and a second North Sea site.
Rosebank, located 80 miles west of Shetland, is home to approximately 300 million barrels of oil, making it the UK’s final significant untapped oil reserve.
Did you hear about Jackdaw? It’s this untapped gas site located about 150 miles east of Aberdeen. Quite interesting, isn’t it?
Environmental campaign groups Greenpeace and Uplift have filed legal claims against the development of oil sites.
The government has officially announced that it will no longer challenge the legal claims made by green groups.
There has been a significant Supreme Court decision in June that has brought attention to the environmental impact of emissions from burning fossil fuels. This decision has emphasised the need to consider these impacts in planning applications for extraction projects, rather than solely focussing on the emissions produced during extraction.
Last month, there was quite a scandal surrounding the new government’s admission that their decision to approve a new coal mine in West Cumbria was actually unlawful. It turns out that they failed to take into account the carbon emissions that would result from burning the coal. Quite a shocking revelation, don’t you think?
Did you hear the latest news from the International Energy Agency? They’re saying that no new fossil fuel project can possibly align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Quite a scandal, isn’t it?
Shell for Jackdaw and Equinor for Rosebank can still defend their rights to drill at the locations.
The North Sea Transition Authority, which approved Rosebank, might potentially defend the case.
If the regulator defends the ruling, it will go the Scottish courts.
The government has also not revoked the locations’ oil and gas exploration licenses.
The government’s capitulation makes the approval unlikely to be legal. This would force the Labour government to decide on Rosebank.
“Rosebank is also a bad deal for Britain,” Uplift executive director Tessa Khan remarked.
“It’s largely oil for export and wouldn’t cut bills or increase energy security, but huge tax benefits for new oil and gas drilling would cover a huge portion of the expenses of developing it.
It is astonishing that decision-makers have up until now ignored the significant emissions from burning oil and gas.
Mel Evans, Greenpeace UK climate team leader: “The government made the right choice.
“These permits should never have been granted without being properly assessed for their impact on the climate, and following the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, conceding these cases is the logical course of action.”
Equinor said: “We’re evaluating today’s announcement and will work with stakeholders to advance the project.
“Rosebank is a vital project for the UK and is bringing benefits in terms of investment, job creation and energy security.”
Shell’s spokesperson: “We’re weighing the government’s announcement.
“We believe the Jackdaw field remains an important development for the UK, providing fuel to heat 1.4 million homes and supporting energy security as other older gas fields reach the end of production.”