…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
Demonstrators’ Dramatic Protest
In a striking demonstration against the development plans for the Rosebank oil and gas field, climate protesters from Ocean Rebellion took action near Dundee harbour.
Their attention-grabbing stunt involved smearing oil over a life-sized mock gannet until it became unrecognizable.
The protest aimed to draw attention to the detrimental effects of the oil industry on wildlife, particularly seabirds affected by oil spillages.
Concerns Surrounding Rosebank Development
Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor has submitted an application to the UK Government for approval to commence work on the Rosebank oil field.
This field, located west of Shetland, holds the distinction of being the largest undeveloped oil field in the UK, with the potential to produce up to 500 million barrels of oil.
The decision regarding Equinor’s proposal is expected soon, prompting protesters to voice their concerns.
Environmental Impact on Marine Life
Ocean Rebellion’s protest underscored the perceived threat posed by the Rosebank development to nature, marine life, and ocean ecosystems.
They argue that approving new oil and gas projects contradicts the Paris Agreement targets, a sentiment shared by both the UN Secretary-General and the International Energy Agency.
The demonstrators emphasized Equinor’s contradictory stance, pointing out the company’s commitment to preventing harm to the environment while planning to develop an oil field that necessitates a pipeline through the Faroe-Shetland sponge belt—an area known for its sensitive deep-sea sponges and 400-year-old clams.
Furthermore, they warned that a significant oil spill from the Rosebank field could have dire consequences for at least 16 Marine Protected Areas.
Peril to Seabirds and Wildlife
Joining the protesters, fellow activists held a banner that read “Stop Rosebank.”
Kate Treharne, a zoologist from Ocean Rebellion, highlighted the vulnerable state of the Shetland region, home to approximately one million seabirds.
She stressed that an oil spill from the Rosebank field would be catastrophic for the animals and birds that depend on this area for their habitat and food sources.
Equinor’s Response
Equinor, responding to the allegations made by the protesters, refuted their claims and defended their project.
The company argued that the Rosebank development could counteract the decline in domestic oil production, improving energy security.
They asserted that the oil and gas produced from the field would have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to the current average on the UK Continental Shelf.
Equinor assured that the project aligns with the UK’s North Sea Transition Deal and their net-zero ambition in accordance with the Paris Agreement’s goals.
Conflicting Claims
Equinor criticized the accuracy of the protesters’ claims, asserting that their environmental impact assessments and worst-case impact evaluations ensure responsible development of the field.
They maintained that new oil and gas fields in the North Sea can be consistent with the UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.
Citing the North Sea Transition Authority’s “effective net-zero test,” Equinor argued that various factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, lifetime production versus future demand, and production emissions impacts, are considered when evaluating applications for new fields.
The company expressed confidence in their data, emphasizing that the UK oil and gas industry is on track to meet interim emissions reduction targets outlined in the North Sea Transition Deal, with the goal of surpassing them.