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.
CMS
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.
CMS: How can the UK energy industry best shift the dial on Diversity and Inclusion?”
OEUK’s Diversity and Inclusion Report last year, which garnered the views of some 1600 people from over 100 organisations in the UK Oil and Gas industry, made for sobering, if unsurprising, reading.
Energy cost crisis likely to fuel climate activism
A judicial review decision in Scotland’s Court of Session over the summer provides further evidence of a growing wave of post-COP26 challenges to governments over their commitment in delivering on net zero pledges.
North Sea is world’s ‘highest risk’ area for oil and gas legal disputes
Experts have said the UK North Sea is the “highest risk” location in the world for legal disputes to erupt in the oil and gas sector.
Energy Transition: a commentary from Norway
For the last few decades the ONS conference in Stavanger has focused on the energy industry’s direction from the perspective of North Sea exploration and production business – this year, ONS 2022 will focus mainly on energy transition.
UK Windfall tax: a closer look
It is expected that the legislation introducing the new energy profits levy – better known as the windfall tax – will pass through parliament later this month, before taking effect from when it was originally announced 26 May.
The energy trilemma – the role of CCS and hydrogen
The energy trilemma: mentioned in almost every session at last month’s OEUK Industry Conference held in Aberdeen, the balancing act between security & reliability of supply, affordability and sustainability is clearly at the forefront of industry considerations today.
Legal implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for the oil and gas sector
Before any discussion of how the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is impacting our sector, we must first acknowledge the devastating effects on the people of Ukraine of the indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets, the war crimes being perpetrated by Russian troops and the massive displacement of the population both within and beyond Ukraine, which is something most of us have never seen in Europe in our lifetimes, as well as the enormous courage and resilience of the Ukrainian nation.
National security and oil industry mergers
The war in Ukraine has caused many businesses to rapidly reassess projects in Russia, involving Russian nationals with ties to the Kremlin or the importation of Russian goods. This may stem from an ethical or reputational perspective, or to ensure compliance with sanctions.
Climate finance laws on the way for UK firms
Do you know how your company is going to reach net zero by 2050? If we are to achieve that aim, every single business is going to need to play its part.
Using the courts as a vehicle for climate change action
In January the High Court comprehensively rejected arguments brought by three environmental campaigners under the banner “Paid to Pollute” against the OGA Strategy.
Three-quarters of energy firms looking to make a deal in 2022
A new report from law firm CMS finds that 75% of energy companies are considering an acquisition and/or divestment this year, as European energy M&A sees its strongest performance in 15 years.