An ocean conservation entity is suing the UK state for 31 oil and gas exploration licenses issued by the previous government earlier this year.
Oceana UK claims the issuing authorities had failed to consider the effects of exploration on marine life, Reuters reported. The entity is part of a group called the Ocean Alliance Against Offshore Drilling, which wrote to the current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband asking him to concede the lawsuit.
“By conceding the case, the government can make good on promises made to the public and signal a clear departure from the previous administration's continuing reliance on fossil fuels,” the group said.
The UK’s North Sea Transition Authority, previously the Oil and Gas Authority, issued 31 exploration licenses back in May as the Sunak government tried to juggle energy security and the transition that required an end to oil and gas production, per advocates.
The licenses were expected to add an estimated 600 million barrels of oil equivalent to 2060, or 545 million barrels of oil equivalent by 2050. Interestingly, some of the awarded in May were in areas previously earmarked for offshore wind power licenses.
“Following discussions with our partners in The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, we have introduced a new clause for overlapping oil and gas licences and wind leases for the first time,” NSTA said.
However, when the Starmer government took office, they were quick to go on the offensive against the oil and gas industry, after promising to raise taxes further and end exploration licensing. The ban has not been made official but media have reported that it is in the works.
That course of action could put the government in the legal crosshairs as well, The Guardian reported recently, as companies could challenge Downing Street for costing them a lot of money spent on successful exploration bids.
By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com