Shell and Equinor Defend North Sea Oil Fields in Scottish Court Amid Environmental Legal Challenges

Shell and Equinor urged a Scottish court to uphold the approval for developing North Sea oil and gas fields, despite environmental opposition. Greenpeace challenges Britain's approval of Jackdaw and Rosebank projects. The Supreme Court ruled authorities must account for burning fossil fuels. Shell argues Jackdaw is crucial for UK energy.

Shell and Equinor are urging a Scottish court to support the UK's decision to greenlight two extensive North Sea oil and gas fields, amid opposition from environmental groups.

The legal battle stems from Greenpeace's challenge against the 2022 approval of the Jackdaw gas field and the 2023 nod given to Equinor's Rosebank oilfield. This comes as Shell overcame an appeal in the Netherlands related to carbon reduction efforts, and TotalEnergies faces a separate legal challenge in London concerning new exploration licenses.

The UK recently decided not to contest Greenpeace's case following a Supreme Court ruling that requires planning authorities to consider the burning of fossil fuels as well as their extraction when greenlighting projects. Shell maintains that halting the Jackdaw project, essential for heating 1.4 million homes, would be complex. Both Shell and Equinor assert the projects' importance for UK energy security.

(With inputs from agencies.)