Field/project development

UK Must Reconsider Shell and Equinor's North Sea Projects, Court Rules

While the court overturned approval for Shell's Jackdaw and Equinor's Rosebank projects, the companies can reapply for consent. Work on the projects can continue, but no fuels can be extracted until the government decisions are retaken.

Shell.jpg

Britain's approvals for two vast North Sea oil and gas fields were overturned by a Scottish court on 30 January, a significant win for environmental campaigners that leaves the decision on whether the projects should go ahead with the government.

Shell and Equinor fought to uphold approval for the projects in the face of challenges by Greenpeace and Uplift, which argued the approvals unlawfully failed to take into account the emissions that would come from the oil and gas being used, known as downstream emissions.

The Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that, as Britain's decisions to approve the projects were unlawful, the decisions must be retaken.

"The public interest in authorities acting lawfully and the private interest of members of the public in climate change outweigh the private interest of the developers," Judge Andrew Stewart said in a written ruling.

The companies will be able to continue work on the projects, but no oil or gas may be extracted until the government retakes the decisions.

In response to the ruling, the government said it is consulting on new environmental guidance on how emissions must be accounted for and said the companies can repply for consent under the new rules.

A Shell spokesperson said, "Swift action is needed from the government so that we and other North Sea operators can make decisions about vital UK energy infrastructure."

Equinor said it was "pleased with the outcome, which allows us to continue with progressing the Rosebank project while we await new consents."

Read the full story here.