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Press and Journal
21 hours ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
New environment rules end 'pause' on oil and gas licence applications
Offshore oil and gas developers in fields including the controversial Rosebank well near Shetland are being given 'clarity' to kickstart applications with new environmental rules. The UK Government's new guidance follows last year's landmark Supreme Court ruling which forced developers to take into account the effect of burning fossil fuels after extraction. Labour energy minister Michael Shanks, in Aberdeen today, told the Press and Journal: 'This gives clarity about what the way forward is for oil and gas. 'Obviously it's lifting the pause on applications into that process but each individual application will now be considered on its merits. 'It's a step forward in ensuring the full environmental impact of extraction is considered.' The Labour MP said he will not be drawn on specific applications. Developers can submit applications to extract oil and gas in fields which are already licenced. These types of developments have been on pause since the so-called Finch Supreme Court judgement last year. The new rules do not give a green light to projects including Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea or Rosebank oil field off Shetland. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will be able to consider the significance of a project's environmental impact, while taking into account the economic impact and other implications. The Labour government says the latest step demonstrates support for the energy industry a week after supporting carbon capture at St Fergus gas terminal near Peterhead. Describing a transition from oil and gas, Mr Shanks added: 'It's 50 years this month since the first oil and gas started coming out of the North Sea. We should be proud of that. 'It will continue to play a part in our economy for decades to come. But all the evidence points to the fact it has been in decline for many years.' Andrew Bowie, the Tory shadow Scottish Secretary, said the future of UK energy security is at a tipping point. 'Since the start of the year, I have been holding events and meetings for North East oil and gas leaders as well as employees,' he said. 'Most agree that Labour policy is hastening the decline of the North Sea, far faster than any responsible government would.' Environmental lawyer Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said the new guidance cannot have come at a more critical time. 'In the case of the Rosebank oil field, which Equinor can now seek reapproval for, it is overwhelmingly obvious that the project is incompatible with the UK's climate commitments,' she said. 'Whether or not this government then follows the science and rejects Rosebank will be a real test of its climate credibility.'
Scotsman
a day ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Rosebank and other North Sea oil and gas fields could be given green light under new guidelines
The oil and gas industry has welcomed the consent process being restarted by the UK government. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... UK ministers could sweep aside climate concerns to approve controversial oil and gas projects if the economic benefits are seen to outweigh the damage, under new guidance. The Labour government published the new guides for oil and gas developers who have received a licence for North Sea projects but still require environmental consent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It will apply to the developers of the Rosebank oil field, Equinor and Ithaca, and Shell for its Jackdaw gas proposals. A small number of other projects could also come forward that already have a licence but need environmental consent, it is believed. Campaigners said approval for these projects in light of the new guidance would be "indefensible" and a 'political sleight of hand'. Rosebank and Jackdaw developers will need to reapply for environmental consent including the pollution from burning the oil and gas extracted from the projects It was drawn up after a Supreme Court ruling found the emissions caused from burning the oil and gas contained in a project, called Scope 3 emissions, needed to be taken into account in applications for environmental consent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Amid the stricter guidance for oil and gas giants is an ability for UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to weigh up the environmental harm against the economic benefits of allowing the project to proceed. Mr Miliband has previously branded the licence handed to the Rosebank project as 'climate vandalism'. Labour has previously ruled out issuing new oil and gas licences for the North Sea, but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the fuels will be needed for decades to come and indicated he would not 'interfere' with existing licences. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The International Energy Agency has previously said no new fossil fuel projects should be developed beyond existing fields if the world is to stay below 1.5C of global warming. Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 'This new guidance offers clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry, following last year's Supreme Court ruling. Energy Minister Michael Shanks | Contributed 'It marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea's clean energy future, in line with the science. 'We are working with industry, trade unions, local communities and environmental groups to ensure the North Sea and its workers are at the heart of Britain's clean energy future for decades to come – supporting well-paid, skilled jobs, driving growth and boosting our energy security.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The guidance states that the 'significance of environmental effects will always be considered…on a case-by-case basis'. The advice to fossil fuel giants states that 'when reaching a decision as to whether agreement should be given to the grant of consent', Mr Miliband 'will consider the environmental effects of the project and will form a view of the overall balance of advantage between any potential significant effects on the environment and wider benefits to the interests of the nation and any other relevant factors in proceeding with the project'. A map showing the location of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields | Kimberley Mogg/NationalWorld It adds: 'In reaching this view the Secretary of State will usually consider, amongst other matters, the severity, extent, understanding and duration of the significant effects, the Government's overall energy and environmental objectives, and the potential economic and other advantages of the project proceeding. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This includes an assessment of the extent to which the project aligns with the Government's stated objectives for the future of the North Sea.' Friends of the Earth Scotland's head of campaigns, Caroline Rance, said 'it would be indefensible for ministers to know the climate harm and yet approve new oil fields'. The organisation's oil and gas campaigns manager, Rosie Hampton, added: 'It would be morally, financially and environmentally dishonest for a minister to try and force through new oil by focusing on narrow economic concerns.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said: 'The new rules mean that oil and gas companies will finally be forced to come clean over the enormous harm they are causing to the climate.' Uplift's executive director Tessa Khan She claimed Rosebank would not lower fuel bills or boost energy independence as most of the oil would be exported. Greenpeace UK head of climate Mel Evans said approving the projects would be a 'political sleight of hand' that would benefit oil giants while leaving the UK hooked on fossil fuels. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chief executive of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), David Whitehouse, said the new guidance was 'an important next step'. He added: 'The publication of this guidance enables firms to move ahead with the process to responsibly develop projects that add jobs and value to the UK economy and boost energy security. 'The UK's offshore energy industry takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and has reduced emissions from oil and gas production by 28 per cent since 2018. The North Sea is held up as one of the most robustly regulated sectors in the world and our approach is recognised internationally as an example of good practice. 'Energy security is national security. In an increasingly volatile world, the widening gap between the energy we produce and what we import matters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Oil and gas produced in the UK must remain the provider of choice over imports which are often associated with higher emissions, fall outside of our regulatory control, contribute no UK taxes and support no UK jobs.' Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: 'The new guidance issued today does not give clarity that the UK Government will actually start putting the climate first. But it does at least mean that the fossil fuel profiteers will no longer be able to hide the scale of damage that new oil and gas drilling will cause to our climate. 'It's been obvious for years that promising a future based on fossil fuels is a dangerous fantasy. Real energy security, cheaper bills and better jobs can all be achieved by investing in home-grown, green renewables. 'But the test now will be whether Labour Ministers face up to scientific reality.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The new guidance comes as an analysis, seen by The Scotsman, revealed that the UK government is poised to miss out on more than £250 million from tax revenue over the Rosebank plans - putting the economic benefits of the project in doubt.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Bungling Ed Miliband paves way to approve new oil and gas licences
BUNGLING Ed Miliband has rewritten green rules to kick-start the approval of two new oil and gas fields. The eco zealot Energy Secretary today published updated legal guidance, paving the way for Rosebank and Jackdaw to seek permission to start drilling. 1 The projects were given the green light under the previous Tory government - but were later blocked by the Supreme Court after a successful legal challenge from eco activists. They accused ministers of failing to consider the emissions that would come from drilling rather than just those stemming from production. Now, Red Ed has been made to re-write government guidance on how emissions are assessed so oil and gas firms have more certainty when they apply for a licence. The move could lead to Rosebank and Jackdaw being given the go-ahead as soon as Autumn. Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: 'This new guidance offers clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry, following last year's Supreme Court ruling. 'It marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea's clean energy future, in line with the science. 'We are working with industry, trade unions, local communities and environmental groups to ensure the North Sea and its workers are at the heart of Britain's clean energy future for decades to come – supporting well-paid, skilled jobs, driving growth and boosting our energy security.' Jackdaw field, near Aberdeen, is estimated to provide six per cent of the UK's entire gas output once up and running. Rosebank will mainly produce oil to be exported, with the Treasury benefiting from tax revenues. The move could open the door to more oil and gas fields applying for licences – despite Mr Miliband's vow of no new approvals. Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice accused the Energy Secretary of getting a grip over guidance 'out of fear'. He blasted: 'Labour fears losing votes to Reform UK, as more and more voters grow disillusioned with Labour's weak leadership and repeated abandonment of their campaign promises. 'Only Reform will truly scrap Net Zero, prioritise oil drilling, and invest in nuclear modular reactors. 'We are the party that will reduce energy bills, slash waste, and make work pay again.' Last night Sir Keir Starmer doubled down on his Net Zero mission. He told Talk: 'The long term aims here and our intention is going to renewables, which are cheaper. 'We have control over their security and therefore we're not affected when there's international conflict.'
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Michael Shanks denies plagiarism in Together film starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie
Michael Shanks, writer-director of the upcoming indie film Together, has spoken out following a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against him and the film's creative team—including stars and producers Dave Franco and Alison Brie. The suit, brought by production company StudioFest, claims Together unlawfully copied the premise of their 2023 film Better Half. In a statement obtained by TheWrap, Shanks dismissed the lawsuit as unfounded, calling the film a reflection of his 'own lived experience.' He said the story—about a couple who wake up physically fused together, symbolizing co-dependency—was inspired by his 16-year relationship, which has been marked by 'entanglement of identity, love and co-dependence.' 'It's not just a script; it's deeply personal,' said Shanks, who also explained that key plot elements—like the main character's trauma over the loss of a parent and his struggles as a musician—were drawn from his life. 'To have this called into question is not only deeply upsetting but entirely untrue.' StudioFest filed the lawsuit in May, alleging Together copied plot points, dialogue, themes, and even visuals from Better Half. Their lawyer, Dan Miller, said, 'The similarities between the two works are staggering and defy any innocent explanation.' In response, Shanks provided a detailed timeline of the film's development, asserting he completed the first draft in 2019 and registered it with the Writers Guild of America that year—well before StudioFest's script was submitted to WME in 2020. Supporting Shanks' timeline, distributor Neon and WME accused the plaintiffs of 'chasing headlines before the film's release,' insisting Shanks alone created the story. Together, acquired by Neon for $17 million following its Sundance debut, is set for release on August 1, 2025. Shanks concluded, 'I stand by Together, its origins, and the years of work it took to make it real.'
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
UK publishes environmental guidance expected to impact North Sea drilling development
LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday published long-awaited environmental guidance which is expected to impact the future development of two vast North Sea oil and gas fields by companies including Shell (SHEL.L), opens new tab and Equinor ( opens new tab. The guidance sets out how greenhouse gas emissions that would come from the oil and gas being used, known as downstream emissions, should be treated in any future government decisions to approve extraction. "This new guidance offers clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry, following last year's Supreme Court ruling," energy department minister Michael Shanks said in a statement. "It marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea's clean energy future, in line with the science." The document was ordered by the government following a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year which said planning authorities should have considered the impact of climate-warming emissions in approving an oil well near Gatwick Airport. In January a Scottish court said Britain's decisions to approve Shell's Jackdaw and Equinor's Rosebank projects in the North Sea were unlawful and must be retaken.
