A BP drilling rig heading to an oilfield in the British North Sea was to turn away two times during the last two days as a Greenpeace ship is protesting over climate change, and is trying to obstruct the rig’s progress.
As Reuters reports, this chase is the latest chapter in Greenpeace’s nine-day effort to stop the 40,000 tonne Paul Loyd JNR rig from reaching the Vorlich oilfield to begin drilling operations.
The vessel had departed from Cromarty Firth, Scotland on June 14, after police removed activists who had climbed and spent a few days on one of the rig’s legs.
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However, the rig had to turn away twice from its destination, as Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise ship has been following it. Now, the rig is heading towards Peterhead and away from the Vorlich field.
Commenting on the incident, Sarah North, Greenpeace International climate activist on the Arctic Sunrise, said that they are determined to stop BP from drilling new oil wells in the North Sea.
From its part, BP slammed Greenpeace, explaining that it has secured an injunction against the Arctic Sunrise. More specifically, BP noted that due to ‘Greenpeace’s repeated interference and reckless actions’, the injunction is a precautionary measure to protect the safety of people and operations.
What is more, last year BP announced plans to invest 200 million pounds ($251.16 million) to develop the Vorlich field in the central North Sea, holding around 30 million barrels of oil and gas equivalent.
The rig is expected to begin production in 2020 with an output of 20,000 barrels per day.