Interesting times to be ushered in by reforms
The government has committed to implement the “Make Work Pay” programme, described by Labour as “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation”.
CMS
GB Energy’s Clean Goal
In one of the first pieces of legislation to be introduced by the new UK Government, the Great British Energy Bill (“Bill”) was introduced on 25 July 2024 with the purpose of establishing a new public company, Great British Energy (“GB Energy”), to drive the transition to clean power by 2030.
Finch: Supreme Court ruling on ‘scope 3’ emissions: A game-changer for oil and gas planning law implications
On 20 June 2024, the UK Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision in the case of R (Finch) v Surrey County Council, requiring environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for oil and gas projects to include 'scope 3' or 'downstream' emissions.
HSE: a shift in focus towards health and well-being in energy sector?
In May 2022, the Health & Safety Executive (“HSE”) published its 10-year strategy setting out its vision, core values, and strategic objectives until 2032.
Planning a lower emissions future for the North Sea oil & gas industry
The North Sea oil and gas industry faces new challenges and opportunities as it strives to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Labour’s EPL plans to have ‘negative impact on the wider supply chain’
There has been significant attention paid over the past few months to oil and gas taxation in the UK, following Labour’s announcement regarding its intentions for oil and gas taxation, should it form the next UK government.
Labour windfall tax proposals: a summary
Earlier this month, Labour announced its revised green investment plan. While the wider media focus has been on the reduction of the previous £28bn annual target, the announcement also contained potentially significant proposals regarding the taxation of UK upstream oil and gas.
2024: a busy start for oil and gas regulatory developments
It’s been a busy start to 2024 in UK oil and gas regulation, with two areas of interest reaching different stages of the legislative process.
A year of challenge, but hope endures
The UK continues to maintain its position as one of the leading and most developed offshore wind markets in the world, with an installed capacity of over 14 gigawatts (GW), and an ambition to secure 50 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
Energy Act 2023 – a framework for driving net zero
The long-awaited Energy Act 2023 (the “Act”) received Royal Assent on the 26 October 2023, more than a year after the original bill was first introduced to Parliament.
Energy Transition in the Middle East
The Middle East has long been synonymous with the oil and gas industry, with approximately 30% of the world’s oil currently produced in the region.
Exploration ‘guarantee’ could offer protection for wary North Sea E&P
With questions hanging over the future of North Sea licences, legal experts have floated potential solutions which could reassure firms over the safety of new investments.
Fresh thinking and collaboration: energy transition and the supply chain
The UK’s net zero ‘target’ is more than aspirational – the Secretary of State is subject to a legal duty to ensure that the UK reaches net zero by 2050.
HSE: An increased cost recovery on the horizon
Regulation of safety in the energy sector is uniquely challenging in high-hazard environments, particularly with increasing pressures to innovate to achieve the transition to net zero and provide energy security.
Aberdeen law firm launches book on ‘radical’ North Sea MER strategy
Two oil and gas sector specialists from an Aberdeen law firm have released a book on what they call the “radical” approach the UK has taken with its maximising economic recovery regime.
Carbon capture and storage – ambitions and challenges
In May 2019, the UK’s Climate Change Committee stated that in order to achieve the UK’s net zero targets, carbon capture and storage is a necessity and not an option.
Lawyers warn of majeure impact to firms from North Sea strikes
With further strikes by offshore workers set to begin this week, legal experts have warned of the potential ‘force majeure’ impact on energy sector contracts.
Struggling with the energy transition? Aberdeen conference to help oil and gas supply chain
An Aberdeen conference take place this month to help oil and gas suppliers manage opportunities and risks around the energy transition.
Divesting oil & gas assets – is it ESG?
The importance of ESG within the energy sector continues to be a headline topic and one which for oil and gas companies needs to form part of their business strategy as to how they contribute to the economy and society in which they operate.
Data in Action: How the latest UK data protection bill impacts energy sector
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, a key priority for the UK Government has been to amend UK laws to reduce red-tape for business and simplify EU laws that were retained in UK law following Brexit.
ESG, oil & gas and the energy transition
Is the North Sea getting to grips with ESG?
INTOG gives Scotland a chance to lead by example
In August 2021 Marine Scotland released “The Offshore Wind Energy for Innovation Projects and Targeted Oil and Gas Decarbonisation (INTOG) Planning Specification and Context” report for public consultation. Within a year , Marine Scotland had identified areas it considered suitable for such developments and on August 10, 2022 the INTOG leasing round opened for applications, closing on November 18.
Balance, balance, balance: UK must grapple with energy security and affordability
In looking back at 2022, it is hard to overstate some of the significant developments affecting the oil and gas industry.
‘We want boredom in 2023’ says oil and gas industry
"Looking ahead to 2023, it's pretty clear that what we are looking for is boredom”, says Addleshaw Goddard partner and co-head of oil and gas, Paul Jones, after the turbulence of the past 12 months.
ESG: The ongoing importance
Companies active in the energy sector would not be blamed for losing sight of their ESG strategy in 2022; the energy industry’s pre-COP 26 focus on climate-change action has been somewhat superseded by the race to balance the energy transition with security and affordability of supply.