09 Jun 2026
Photo by Ben Wicks A possible exit BP has held advanced discussions with Ithaca Energy over the potential sale of its UK North Sea assets in a deal that could be worth close to £2 billion, the Financial Times first reported this week. Although the talks have stalled in recent weeks, BP is understood to remain open […]
31 Mar 2026
Photo by Galen Crout Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has launched a “Get Britain Drilling” campaign, calling on the government to lift its moratorium on new North Sea oil and gas licences as rising global energy prices – triggered by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – intensify the political debate over domestic fossil […]
02 Dec 2025
Photo by Kilian Murphy The UK Government published its North Sea Future Plan on 26 November 2025, confirming an end to new exploration licences whilst introducing Transitional Energy Certificates allowing limited drilling adjacent to existing fields. The plan implements government manifesto commitments to manage existing fields for their lifespan and not issue new licences to explore new fields. […]
07 Jul 2025
Photo of Oil and Gas Platform by Dean Brierley Increasing oil and gas production in the North Sea makes little difference to the UK’s energy import levels, according to Energy Minister Michael Shanks. Speaking to the Scottish Affairs Committee, Shanks said that most domestically produced fossil fuels are traded on global markets rather than […]
01 Oct 2024
A new report from conservation group Oceana UK has been published revealing the true extent of oil pollution. The report titled ‘Sea Slick: The true scale and impact of chronic oil pollution in UK seas’ says oil pollution in UK seas has been “significantly underestimated due an opaque system of self-reporting by oil companies that […]
06 Aug 2024
A study combining 30 years of benthic monitoring data with dietary information on more than 1400 taxa to quantity the effects of active oil and gas platforms on benthic food webs reveals fewer trophic interactions with communities becoming dominated by generalists. Decreased mean body mass, shorter food chains, and the dominance of small detritivores such […]
19 Dec 2023
Uplift and Greenpeace UK have launched legal challenges to the UK Government over its decision to green-light the Rosebank oil and gas project – the largest untapped field of its kind in the North Sea. Two separate judicial review challenges already filed against the UK’s decision. Both are expected to be heard in the Court […]
03 Oct 2023
Britain has given the go-ahead for one of its biggest new oil and gas projects in years, Equinor’s North Sea Rosebank field, saying energy security was the priority despite opposition from environmentalists, reported by Reuters. Energy Security Minister Claire Coutinho said Rosebank would be less emissions-intensive than older oil and gas developments. “We will continue to […]
