The UK authorities have approved a new North Sea gas field for Shell, against a backdrop of environmentalist concerns.
The UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) gave the green light to the Victory field, located northwest of the Shetland Islands, according to an official document on the UK Government’s website.
Shell has suggested that once operational, the field will contribute to sustaining the country’s gas production for households, businesses, and electricity generation. It confirmed its investment in the project but declined to disclose the precise amount to French news agency AFP.
Investment continuation is essential to support dwindling national production in the United Kingdom, which is diminishing faster than oil and gas demand in the country, said Simon Roddy, a Shell executive responsible for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation.
The Victory field is set to go online in mid-decade and is projected to produce enough gas to heat nearly 900,000 homes per year at its peak, according to Shell.
The war in Ukraine has reignited the importance of energy security in the UK, which has issued a wave of new oil and gas exploration permits.
That strategy has been criticised by environmental NGOs.
The investment decision proves that Shell is not serious about preventing catastrophic climate change, Charlie Kronick, Climate Advisor at Greenpeace UK, commented in a statement sent to AFP.
