Oil and gas industry conducting war on climate
The Scottish Greens say plans to restart drilling operations in an abandoned North Sea oil and gas field shows the fossil fuel industry is incapable of facing up to the realities of climate crisis.
Malaysian-owned Ping Petroleum business has bought licences for the Hutton field, which was in production throughout the 1980s and 1990s before being shut down by Conoco in 2001.
It has also taken a controlling stake in the Pilot find, estimated to contain around 80 million barrels of oil.
Scottish Greens climate and energy spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said: “This is a disgraceful announcement and a slap in the face to future generations.
“Just weeks ago respected experts from the Climate Change Committee stood up and warned us that we are not doing enough to cut emissions.
“In what world do these companies think opening up old oil and gas fields and drilling for more fossils fuels is the answer?
“The naked truth is they don’t care. All they are interested in is more and more profit. Greed over climate and to Hell with everyone else.
“The Scottish Greens are clear that there can be no new drilling if we are to reach net zero, that’s our consistent message within government.
“We need to look at what future action is needed to stop these cash hungry fossil fuel giants from prising open long abandoned fields.
“Without independence those powers lie at Westminster and it is utterly shameful that a UK Government continues to subsidise the destruction of our climate with the only benefits being felt by fossil fuel shareholders.
“Under this Tory government fossil fuel firms, largely from overseas, are being allowed to start drilling for new oil at the same time as squeezing out every last drop from the old, and being given tax breaks to help them achieve it.
“New drilling has to be stopped. Talk of a Just Transition for the sector has to accompanied by real, visible and urgent action, and the oil and gas industry has to stop its indiscriminate war on climate.
“I will be writing to Downing Street to demand that they review this decision against climate compatibility tests and call for them to reverse this licence if it fails on this grounds.”
