Boris says UK won't be subjected to Putin blackmail over energy
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new Energy Security Strategy, aimed at combatting soaring global prices in the face of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, relies on Scotland for boosting the UK’s energy transition. Aside from Scotland’s massive wind potential, the region is also bordering on the North Sea, where the Government plans to issue new drilling licenses for oil and gas exploration. The statement read: “Our ambitious plans also include a licensing round for new North Sea oil and gas projects planned to launch this Autumn, with a new taskforce providing bespoke support to new developments – recognising the importance of these fuels to the transition and to our energy security, and that producing gas in the UK has a lower carbon footprint than imported from abroad.”
Reports from the Government estimate that 7.9 billion barrels of oil reserves and resources remain under the North Sea, along with 560 billion cubic metres of gas.
Fossil fuel energy projects in the North Sea have been the subject of controversy in the past, with the proposed Cambo oilfield facing a lot of backlash from climate activists who argued that the project will hamper the UK’s net-zero promises.
After facing heavy opposition from climate change protestors, the development of the oil field was put on hold when Shell pulled out.
However, Dr Bridget Woodman, Senior lecturer in the Deputy Director Energy Policy Group, University of Exeter believes that the new energy strategy could incentivise Shell to reopen the oilfield and resume its development.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she said: “Yes, I think this [Energy Security Strategy] will restart the Cambo project.
“Shell pulled out of it last year for economic rather than political or climate reasons and now that the price of oil has risen, as well as overt government support for more offshore development, I’m pretty sure they’ll re-engage with the project and that it will go ahead.
“The strategy isn’t about getting Cambo off the ground, it’s about ensuring that even more offshore oil and gas is developed beyond that.”
This will come as a blow to Ms Sturgeon, as she has continued her opposition to the oilfield, arguing that renewable energy is the key to reducing the continent’s reliance on Russian gas.
Over the past few years, Ms Sturgeon and the SNP have flip-flopped over North Sea oil exploration
Previously, the party used the phrase “It’s Scotland’s oil” as a rallying cry for Scottish Independence, arguing that revenues generated from North Sea exploration would not benefit Scotland as long as it remained a part of the United Kingdom.
However last year, facing pressure from climate activists, Ms Sturgeon said that the proposed Cambo oil field off Shetland “should not get the green light”.
A spokesperson for Shell told Express.co.uk that their position on Cambo remains unchanged for now.
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Meanwhile, Prof Neil Strachan, Director of the UCL Bartlett School of Environment Energy & Resources, told Express.co.uk: “I do not think that the return of the Cambo oil field is very likely.
“Developing a new oil field requires a lot of upfront capital and investors would need to be sure that high prices and strong demand for oil are in place not just for the next couple of years but for the next 20 years.
“And a major new oil field development is not compatible with the UK’s net zero strategy.”
Dr Woodman warned that restarting the Cambo oilfield would raise questions about the UK meeting its legal net-zero commitments.
She continued: “More offshore development inevitably brings with it higher emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, so encouraging it demonstrates an inexcusable lack of commitment to our climate safety and that of future generations.
“Coupled with the reckless commitment to a huge expansion of the nuclear sector, where cost overruns and project delays are endemic, our climate commitments are under severe threat.”
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