Today, a minister from the Green Scottish Government celebrated Shell’s “welcome” and “necessary” decision to withdraw from Cambo’s oil field project.
The £1.9billion North Sea development 75 miles off the coast of Scotland was thrown into doubt after the oil giant, which had a 30 per cent stake in Cambo, dramatically quit last night.
Shell maintained that there was not enough economic support for participation in the project and warned of possible delays.
Environmentalists also claimed the project would ‘contribute towards the climate crisis’, and could threaten hundreds of species by cutting through the Faroe Shetland Sponge Belt (a UK Marine Protected Area) for around 22 miles.
But, Cambo’s supporters insist that it would have generated 1,000 new jobs as well as thousands of additional ones in the supply chain. The development could also produce up to 170 billion barrels of oil over 25 years – enough to power the UK for four months – and could also produce enough gas to produce 1.5 million homes for a year.
Also, it is feared that the UK could become less independent on the international stage if the project does not go through.
Patrick Harvie, Green MSP from Glasgow and Zero Carbon Buildings Minister, praised Shell’s decision as a ‘welcome. He stated that the planet was ‘finally shifting away from fossil fuels’, and called for “massive investments in the sustainable industries to the future”.
“It is a challenge for all of us, that we finally recognize, at long last after decades of efforts by the fossil fuel industries to slow it down, deny the problem, and distract us from the issue, the world has moved away from fossil fuels,” Mr Harvie stated on Radio 4’s Today program.
Patrick Harvie (Green MSP for Glasgow) called Shell’s announcement ‘welcome’. He stated that the planet was ‘finally moving from fossil fuels’, and called for “massive investments in sustainable industries of tomorrow”.
The £1.9billion North Sea development 75 miles off the coast of Scotland was thrown into doubt after the oil giant, which had a 30 per cent stake in Cambo, dramatically quit last night. Shell claimed that the economic argument for the development was not strong enough, and warned about the possibility of delays
According to environmentalists, the project would ‘contribute towards the climate crisis’ by threatening hundreds of species. It will also cut through the Faroe Shetland Sponge belt (a UK Marine Protected Area) for 22 miles.
Cambo supporters argued that Cambo would have generated 1,000 new jobs, and many more within the supply chain. The development could also produce up to 170 billion barrels of oil over 25 years – enough to power the UK for four months (stock)
“That is why we require massive investments in sustainable industries for the future.”
Critics claimed that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon contributed to this decision, announcing she wouldn’t support Cambo and other new fields.
Cambo has undergone a climate assessment and within weeks, the Oil and Gas Authority should inform ministers if they will give the green light.
Jonathan Roger is the chief executive officer of SiccarPoint Energy. He stated: “Cambo continues to be critical to the UK’s energy security and economy…We will continue to engage the UK Government as well as other stakeholders regarding the future development Cambo.”
A Shell spokesman said continued investment in oil and gas remains ‘critical’ to keep the lights on, adding: ‘We believe the North Sea – and Shell in it – have a critical role to play in the UK’s energy mix, supporting the jobs and skills to enable a smooth transition to Britain’s low-carbon future.’
After stating that oil and gas extraction would be continued in an independent Scotland, Scotland’s Net Zero secretary had caused a political storm.
The future of oil and natural gas can be decided by both sides without having to reach an agreement as part of the cooperation agreement.
Michael Matheson from Net Zero, Secretary to the Scotsman newspaper stated that independent Scotland will continue oil and gas drilling.
He said, “We are still some distance from decarbonising society. We will still require access to hydrocarbons.”
After an event at Cop26, Harvie spoke to journalists and stressed that there was a rift between his party’s oil-and gas policy and that of the SNP.
“This is one issue where we have been extremely clear in our co-operation agreement. This is an area where both the Greens (and the SNP) don’t share a complete position on,’ he stated.
“The Greens and most of the climate experts around the globe, such as the International Energy Authority (IEMA), who oppose any new oil or gas extraction, are quite clear.
“That’s our view, that’s what Cop thinks, and that’s my opinion, it’s also the position all the people in the Scottish political scene will be taking.”
“It’s been only months since most political parties (except the Greens) supported maximum economic extract – it’s no longer a policy. Only the Conservatives are able to pretend that they can continue with this and not take the climate crisis seriously.
Harvie stated that the shift in political landscape had not yet reached the Greens. However, many people now understand that the two parties can disagree on certain things but still come up with constructive ways of working together.
‘But I think everyone, eventually, will have to reach the point where oil and gas is no longer our future, let’s harness Scotland’s immense renewable potential.
This oilfield will produce more than 3 million tonnes carbon over its lifetime. It could be operational until 2050, when Britain is expected to become net carbon neutral. Another oil rig
Critics claim that the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who announced she would not be supporting Cambo or any other new fields, contributed to the decision.
Harvie attempted to also counter criticisms of Greenpeace. He suggested that environmental activists didn’t understand Scotland’s political environment after criticizing the First minister on Cambo Oil Field.
Campaigners claimed the pipelines that would transport oil from Cambo’s Cambo field through Faroe Shetland Sponge Belt to ship the oil to the rest of the world would cause damage to the Faroe Shetland Sponge District, where rare deep-sea spongies are found.
Elaw, the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (Elaw), has published a report warning that Cambo’s project could “pose serious threats to the livelihoods and species of hundreds of other species” over a period of several decades.
16 marine conservation and climate groups including Greenpeace UK and WWF UK wrote Opred asking for the inclusion of marine impacts in the assessment of the Cambo drilling request.
These people expressed concerns over the potential impacts that the pipelines could have on the seabed, hundreds of marine species, and the fishing industry. They also highlighted the devastating effects an oil spillage would have in the region.