“No winners” have resulted from a 12-day North Sea standoff involving BP and climate group Greenpeace, accordinging to the representative body for the oil and gas sector.
Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) said today that the actions of activists who boarded a BP-contracted drilling rig “put safety at risk” and “failed to produce any solutions” to meeting net zero targets.
The climate group has hounded the Transocean-owned installation for almost two weeks, climbing on to the structure before being removed by police.
It also halted the John B Loyd Jnr rig from making it to the North Sea Vorlich field, blocking its progress with the Arctic Sunrise vessel.
Greenpeace are demanding that BP stop drilling future North Sea wells and “immediately” transition to renewable energy.
It called for BP to “clean up their act and truly address the climate emergency.”
Gareth Wynn, OGUK’s communications director, described Greenpeace’s protest as “fundamentally flawed” and “a stunt”
He said: “There are no winners as a result of this stunt, which both put safety at risk and failed to produce any solutions to how we can achieve the net zero future we all want to see.
“The arguments from Greenpeace are fundamentally flawed and sadly fail to recognise the reality that prematurely shutting down the North Sea will only increase the UK’s reliance on imports from across the world.
“We live in a world with ever-growing demand for energy which at the same time needs an ever-reducing carbon footprint.
“Our industry is committed to help find practical solutions to one of the biggest challenges we will face.
“It’s time for deeds not words and we’d encourage anyone with a serious interest to work with us.”
Aberdeen Lord Provost Barney Crockett called the oil and gas sector “crucial” for the city.
He added: “Changes will be needed, but we also have current realities as well.
“It’s important that people are able to make plans without fearing any challenge to their legal work.”
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