Context:
The UK Prime Minister has approved further fossil fuel drilling in the North Sea to bolster energy self-sufficiency, prompting concerns about climate commitments. The North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA) is supervising the 33rd licensing round for offshore oil and gas, raising discussions on the nation’s environmental goals.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
Evolution of North Sea Drilling
Evolution of North Sea Drilling
North Sea
- The North Sea is situated in northwest Europe, bordered by multiple countries including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.
- It connects to the Atlantic through the English Channel and the Strait of Dover.
Historical Milestones
- The 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf established nations’ rights over continental shelves, paving the way for North Sea exploration.
- The UK’s Continental Shelf Act of 1964 solidified its jurisdiction over offshore oil and gas resources.
- British Petroleum (BP) obtained the first UK North Sea exploration license in 1964, leading to the discovery of natural gas in 1965.
- The BP-operated Sea Gem rig collapse in 1965 posed a setback.
- Commercial oil was found in the Forties Field in 1970, triggering increased exploration.
Current UK Perspective
- Despite aiming for Net-Zero Emissions by 2050, the UK anticipates a quarter of its energy requirement to still rely on oil and gas.
- The UK emphasizes using domestic resources to meet energy needs rather than depending on foreign supplies.
- Concerns arise regarding the UK’s commitment to climate targets, with doubts on its preparedness for climate change per the Climate Change Committee’s report.
Environmental Concerns of Offshore Drilling
Oil Spills:
- Oil spills from drilling pose severe threats to marine ecosystems and wildlife.
- Birds, marine mammals, and fish can be coated with oil, causing suffocation and impaired functioning.
Habitat Disruption:
- The presence of drilling structures and pipelines disrupts marine habitats.
- Noise and vibrations from drilling operations can disturb marine life, affecting communication, navigation, and breeding.
Habitat Damage:
- Construction of drilling infrastructure harms underwater habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds.
- These habitats are crucial for breeding and feeding marine species.
Climate Impact:
- Burning fossil fuels extracted from offshore drilling contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
- This worsens global climate change, leading to sea-level rise and ocean warming.
Resource Depletion:
- Intensive drilling depletes oil and gas reserves, leading to pressure to explore ecologically sensitive regions.
Ocean Acidification:
- CO2 released from fossil fuel burning is absorbed by oceans, causing ocean acidification.
- This harms marine life, especially organisms with calcium carbonate shells, like coral reefs and shellfish.
-Source: The Hindu
