Energy giant behind controversial Rosebank oil field vows to fight on in court despite setback
dailyrecord.co.ukThe energy giant behind the controversial Rosebank oil field has vowed to fight for the project in court despite UK ministers dropping out of the legal battle.Norwegian oil firm Equinor, which wants to drill the biggest untapped development in the North Sea off the coast of Shetland, said the project is “vital” for the UK’s energy security.Meanwhile, Shell has also pledged to take on eco activists in the courtroom who are trying to block its Jackdaw gas field 150 miles off the Aberdeen coast.It comes as campaigners led by Greenpeace have argued for a judicial review of both projects which were previously granted approval.They received a major boost last month when Labour Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband withdrew support for the North Sea schemes and said the UK Government wouldn’t defend them in court.Keir Starmer’s government previously vowed not to grant new oil and gas licences - although did pledge to honour existing licences.The fossil fuels industry has claimed Labour’s approach will decimate tens of thousands of jobs in the North Sea workforce, predominantly in the north-east of Scotland.It’s thought Rosebank could contain up to 500million barrels of oil.
Activists claim it would emit more carbon than the world’s 28 poorest nations combined.Confirming it will mount a legal defence to keep its licence, an Equinor spokesman said: "The Rosebank project is progressing according to plan.
It is vital for UK investment, job creation and energy security."It comes after the UK Supreme Court gave a judgment in a separate case, known as the Finch ruling, which found the full emissions impacts of fossil fuel schemes should be taken into account before they’re approved, seen as a victory for climate campaigners.A Shell spokesman
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