Oil Companies to Contest Judicial Review of North Sea Projects
Shell and Equinor, major European oil companies, are defending their North Sea projects against environmentalists' legal challenges. Projects like Shell’s Jackdaw gasfield and Equinor’s Rosebank oilfield were originally approved but now face scrutiny after Labour retracted support. Environmental groups argue these projects harm the planet, while the companies stress their importance for UK energy security.
Shell and Equinor, two of Europe’s leading oil companies, have committed to defending their North Sea oil and gas projects against legal challenges initiated by environmental groups.
The projects under scrutiny are Shell’s Jackdaw gasfield and Equinor’s Rosebank oilfield.
These projects, approved by the Conservative government, are now facing opposition after Labour’s energy secretary, Ed Miliband, retracted government support, citing a supreme court ruling that emissions from burning fossil fuels must be fully considered before project approvals.
Greenpeace and Uplift have called for judicial reviews, arguing the projects pose significant risks to the environment.
However, Shell and Equinor maintain the projects are crucial for UK energy security and economic benefits.