Keep up to date with June 2023’s news with our digest of daily updated headlines about the business, regulation and campaigns around UK fracking, shale, and onshore oil and gas.

Click here for headlines from previous months. Please let us know if we’ve missed something important  contact@DrillOrDrop.com

Friday 30 June 2023

Saltfleetby gas production lifts profits at Angus Energy. DrillOrDrop report on Angus Energy’s interim accounts for the six months to March 2023.

Lord Goldsmith resigns from Government, accusing Sunak of ‘apathy’ on climate. PA reports Zac Goldsmith has resigned as a minister (after being accused of being part of a campaign to undermine an inquiry into Boris Johnson). His resignation letter has criticised Rishi Sunak for being “simply uninterested” in the environment and said his position had been made “untenable”.

Shell Renewables Head to Leave Amid Fossil Fuel Shift. Bloomberg reports that Shell Plc’s European renewable power boss Thomas Brostrom has decided to leave the company as the oil supermajor revises its strategy to focus more investment into fossil fuels. 

Thursday 29 June 2023

UKOG takes £3m loan for drilling operations. DrillOrDrop report on UKOG’s announcement of a loan facility.

The former prime minister appeared to align herself with recent critics of U.K. climate leadership. Politico reports comments by Theresa May that the UK is “falling behind” other countries in the fight against climate change and has been “too slow to act” in response to US and EU subsidies for green industries.

EU to propose exit from Energy Charter Treaty over climate concerns. Reuters reports the European Commission is readying a proposal for EU countries to jointly quit an international energy treaty, which lets energy companies sue governments, after some states have already pledged to leave over climate concerns.

Wednesday 28 June 2023

“Expansion of fossil fuel production not in line with net zero” – CCC. DrillOrDrop reports on the CCC annual update to parliament on government progress on meeting climate change targets. Other coverage includes CarbonBrief, Guardian , Business Green, PA, Energy Voice and BBC News

Norway approves 19 new oil and gas projects worth around £14.62 bn. Energy Voice reports Norway has approved 19 new oil and gas projects in its waters, with total investment topping NOK 200 billion (£14.62 bn), according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

East Yorkshire councillors back fossil fuel divestment. DrillOrDrop report on unanimous for a review of East Yorkshire pension investments away from fossil fuels.

Tuesday 27 June 2023

UKOG declares interim loss of £1.3m. DrillOrDrop report of half-year results for UK Oil & Gas plc.

North Sea can support energy secuirity, net zero and thousands of high-skilled jobs. The North Sea Transition Authority reports on an industry and government summit in Aberdeen.

UK could be starved of energy, says North Sea boss. BBC News reports comments by Ithaca Energy, a major oil and gas producer, which said the UK is at risk of being “starved” of North Sea energy, leaving it reliant on imports.

Monday 26 June 2023

IGas becomes Star Energy. DrillOrDrop report on IGas name change.

Greenhouse gas emissions from global energy industry still rising – report. The Guardian reports on a study by the Energy Institute that greenhouse gas emissions from the energy industry continued to rise to new highs last year, despite record growth in wind and solar power.

Friday 23 June 2023

Cuadrilla back in the red, value of shale gas assets to be cut. DrillOrDrop report on Cuadrilla’s 2022 annual accounts, which include plans to impair the value of UK shale gas assets.

US climate change lawsuit seeks $50 billion, citing 2021 heat wave. Reuters reports that an Oregon county has sued Exxon, Chevron, other oil and coal companies and industry groups for /////450 billion to counter harms caused by extreme weather fueled by climate change.

Thursday 22 June 2023

New watchdog’s first legal challenge opposes government over counting carbon. DrillOrDrop report on day 2 of Supreme Court case over emissions from Horse Hill oil extraction.

Church of England divests from fossil fuels. DrillOrDrop report on announcement from the Church Commissioners and Church of England Pensions Board.

Supreme Court rejects challenge over Mozambique gas project. Friends of the Earth reports the UK’s highest court has refused its application to appeal its case against government funding of a huge gas development in Mozambique. The organisation’s legal challenge was dismissed by the appeal court in January 2023.

Loss of fossil fuel assets would not impoverish general public, study finds. The Guardian reports on new research in the journal Joule, which found that a rapid reduction in fossil fuels, essential to avoid devastating climate breakdown, would have minimal financial impact on the vast majority of people

Wednesday 21 June 2023

Landmark legal challenge tells the Supreme Court the climate impact of using fossil fuels must be assessed before any decision is made on production plans. DrillOrDrop report

Why does today’s landmark challenge on Horse Hill oil matter? DrillOrDrop review of the significance of today’s case at the Supreme Court.

Pictures: Campaigners gather outside the Supreme Court for landmark legal challenge on the climate impact of oil production. DrillOrDrop report

Monday 19 June 2023

Labour to phase out onshore oil and gas, as well as North Sea. DrillOrDrop report on today’s speech by the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, and the party’s new policy

Friday 16 June 2023

No damages for fracking industry over reinstatement of moratorium, despite threat of “mammoth legal challenge”. DrillOrDrop investigation into industry threats to sue the government and what actually happened.

Thursday 15 June 2023

UK’s own climate adviser brands government ‘hypocrites’ over North Sea oil and gas. In an interview with Politico, the Climate Change Committee chair, Lord Deben, warns the UK would undermine its international reputation as a climate leader if it goes ahead with a major new oil and gas field. He says the British government’s current stance in favour of expanding production of fossil fuels in the North Sea means the UK has “perfectly properly been called hypocrites.”

Just Stop Oil protesters interrupt opera at Glyndebourne festival. The Guardian reports Just Stop Oil protesters have interrupted a performance during the Glyndebourne opera festival in East Sussex by letting off glitter cannons and blowing air horns.

Just Stop Oil activists arrested as new police dispersal law comes into force. PA reports police arrested Just Stop Oil protesters near Vauxhall Bridge in central London on the day new legislation came into force giving officers greater power to disperse crowds.

‘Not fit for purpose’: Over 100 firms call for UK planning reforms to support nature and net zero. Business Green reports more than 100 firms in the building and construction sector have today called on the government to reform the UK’s planning rules in order to accelerate the net zero transition and nature restoration efforts, warning the current system is “not fit for purpose”.

Vast fossil fuel and farming subsidies causing ‘environmental havoc’. The Guardian reports on work by the World Bank which concluded that trillions of dollars of subsidies for fossil fuels, farming and fishing are causing “environmental havoc”, severely harming people and the planet.

Guest post: Nearly half of recent climate pledges plan to keep extracting fossil fuels . Natalie Jones, writing for CarbonBrief, says her research has found that while a few countries are reporting on measures to phase out fossil fuel production, nearly half of second-round nationally-determined contributions included plans to maintain or even increase fossil fuel production.

Labour’s broken promise on climate investment could have dangerous consequences. Caroline Lucas, writing in the Metro, criticises Labour for ramping up climate spending throughout a government to reach £28bn by 2028, rather than starting in the first year.

Britain wastes enough wind generation to power 1 million homes. Carbon Tracker finds that Britain wasted enough wind generation last year to power a million homes, because investments in, and planning approvals for electricity grid upgrades are not keeping up with the rapid growth of wind power development.

Climate Talks Ahead of COP28 Raise Concerns of Weak Outcome. Bloomberg reports diplomats pushing for stronger climate action walked away from a two-week preparatory meeting for COP28 disappointed by inter-country bickering and what some said was a lack of ambition from the United Arab Emirates, this year’s host nation. 

UN chief to fossil fuel firms: stop trying to ‘knee-cap’ climate progress. Reuters reports on comments by the UN. secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, who said countries must start phasing out oil, coal and gas – not just emissions. He also demanded fossil fuel companies “cease and desist” measures that aim to “knee-cap” climate progress.

Wednesday 14 June 2023

Key facts on next week’s landmark legal challenge over climate impact of oil extraction. DrillOrDrop report on Sarah Finch versus Surrey County Council at the Supreme Court over oil production at Horse Hill.

IGas shareholders vote to change company name. IGas report that the company name would change to Star Energy Group plc following today’s AGM.

IGas issues trading update for AGM. IGas announces production remains in line with guidance at about 2,000 boepd. Cash balances at the end of May wee £1.6m and net debt a £4m.

US$16m net revenues landmark reached at Wressle. Union Jack reports it has received more than US$16m revenue from the Wressle oil site in North Lincolnshire.

Tory candidate for Selby accused of backing ‘dangerous’ fracking. The Yorkshire Post reports that Michael Naughton, the Conservative candidate for the Selby by-election has previously backed fracking

Time is running out for the UAE to save its COP28. The FT reports the world cannot afford this year’s UN climate summit to be a “washout”.

Just Stop Oil supporters unlawfully arrested after new ban on right to dissent . Just Stop Oil reports its supporters are marching in the group’s eighth week of daily action in London to demand the UK government halt all all licences and consents for new oil, gas and coal projects.

Shell drops target to cut oil production as CEO aims for higher profits. The Guardian reports Shell has abandoned plans to cut oil production each year for the rest of the decade, in a shift in approach to firmly target fossil fuels and increase payouts to shareholders under its new chief executive.

The public wants more onshore wind, so why is the Government dithering? Simon Clarke MP, writing for CAPX, says “For too long, England has been missing out on a potentially abundant source of cheap energy: onshore wind power. Quick to build, these turbines can cut electricity bills and carbon, delivering on our climate targets and aiding the Government’s goals to reduce inflation and grow the economy.”

Growth in global oil demand is set to slow significantly by 2028. The IEA medium term report sees oil use for transport going into decline after 2026, but overall consumption is expected to be supported by strong petrochemicals demand.

Rishi Sunak slams Labour’s oil and gas plans as ‘British jobs for Russian workers’. The Press and Journal reports the prime minister has attacked Labour’s stance on North Sea oil and gas, claiming it “jeopardises 200,000 jobs”.

Tuesday 13 June 2023

Peers fail to block new government protest restrictions. DrillOrDrop report on vote in the House of Lords that give police greater powers to ban protests. Many peers criticised government tactics used to get the measure through.

Climate activists smash Barclays front doors in fossil fuels direct action. This is not a Drill reports the action was in protest at Barclays funding of fossil fuels.

Monday 12 June 2023

Lords to vote on new protest restrictions as leading lawyer warns police could have “near total discretion”. DrillOrDrop report on attempts to kill measures to give police wider powers to ban protests.

IGas preferred contractor for geothermal scheme. IGas reports its geothermal business, GT Energy, has been selected as the preferred contractor to deliver geothermal heat for Salisbury District Hospital NHS Trust.

UK climate plans have gone backwards despite fanfare over ‘green day’. The Times reports UK’s latest net-zero strategy, launched at the end of March, has “barely moved the dial on emissions cuts”.

Angus Energy diverts flow to another operator. Angus Energy reports that it diverted its export gas flow from Saltfleetby into a third party pipeline last week. The company said it was “fully reimbursed” for the diverted flow and normal export resumed on 10 June 2023.

Met says Just Stop Oil protests have cost it more than £4.5m in six weeks. The Guardian reports police say climate activists’ daily slow march protests through London have cost them millions of pounds and thousands of officer hours in the past six weeks.

Young Montana residents bring climate change case to court for first time ever. The Guardian reports on a “groundbreaking climate trial”, beginning today,  involving 16 young Montana residents who allege state officials violated their constitutional rights to a healthy environment.

Friday 9 June 2023

Cambridge activists glue themselves to Schlumberger building. Extinction Rebellion Cambridge and Extinction Rebellion Youth Cambridge report an escalation of action at the Schlumberger Gould Research Centre in the city. Activists reportedly glued themselves to the building.

Lancashire frackers Cuadrilla ‘hoping ban will be overturned’ says MP as site allowed to stay. Lancashire Live reports on the decision to give Cuadrilla two more years at its Preston New Road site near Blackpool (7/6/23)

Thursday 8 June 2023

“Minister breached rules in approving Dunsfold gas site”, court told. DrillOrDrop report on legal challenge to government approval of gas exploration in Surrey.

“Oil and gas production will not harm environment or health”, says regulator. EA says it is minded to grant permit changes for Rathlin Energy’s West Newton-A site in East Yorkshire, DrillOrDrop reports.

Anti-fracking MP, Caroline Lucas, to stand down at election. DrillOrDrop report with links to our interview with Caroline Lucas from 2014.

IGas board changes. IGas reports that Chris Hopkinson has been appointed chief executive officer. He was previously interim executive chairman. Philip Jackson, formerly of Kerogen Capital, becomes non-executive chairman. Kerogen has the right to appoint two directors to the IGas board. In May, the company was the preferred bidder for the Wythenshaw Hospital geothermal scheme.

Just Stop Oil eco-zealots writing Labour energy policy – Sunak. BBC News reports comments by the prime minister that “eco-zealots” from Just Stop Oil are “writing Keir Starmer’s energy policy”.

Factcheck: Why banning new North Sea oil and gas is not a ‘Just Stop Oil plan’. CarbonBrief looks at claims made by Rishi Sunak and other Conservatives on the source of Labour’s policy to stop future oil and gas licences in the North Sea.

UK will have to spend £9bn more in foreign gas if it fails to ramp up heat pumps. City Am reports a warning from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit that a lack of government ambition in ramping up the installation of heat pumps, and the failure to clampdown on new gas connections will force the UK to spend a further £9bn on extra gas imports from overseas vendors

Fact check: why Rowan Atkinson is wrong about electric vehicles. Simon Evans, of CarbonBrief, responds in the Guardian to a piece last week by Rowan Atkinson casting doubt on the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.

Wednesday 7 June 2023

Breaking: Cuadrilla’s Lancashire fracking site gets more time. DrillOrDrop report from Lancashire County Council planning committee.

Gas scheme in chancellor’s constituency in High Court challenge. DrillOrDrop’s look ahead to the High Court challenge to UKOG’s Dunsfold scheme tomorrow.

UK government under fire for investing overseas aid in fossil fuel firms. The Guardian reports that British International Investment, owned by the Foreign Office, holds at least 20 investments in fossil fuel companies.

Tuesday 6 June 2023

Breaking: Egdon pulls out of next week’s oil appeal at North Kelsey. DrillOrDrop report

Campaigners prepare for next fight against Egdon’s North Kelsey oil plans. DrillOrDrop report

Monday 5 June 2023

Leading organisations warn against new oil and gas fields. DrillOrDrop report on support from environmental and social justice organisations for Keir Starmer’s proposal to end oil and gas licences and criticism from two unions.

Sunday 4 June 2023

Starmer urged not to U-turn on new North Sea oil and gas ban. The Guardian reports that Keir Starmer’s promise to block new North Sea oil and gas exploration has received the backing of an eclectic range of high-profile groups, including environmental campaigners, trade unions and even the Women’s Institute.

Friday 2 June 2023

UK onshore oil and gas production in charts – March 2023. DrillOrDrop’s review of the latest UK onshore production data, for March 2023, reveals the lowest monthly oil volume and daily extraction rate for 12 years, while flared gas was at a record high.

Nine Insulate Britain supporters found guilty of public nuisance by a jury at Hove Crown Court. Just Stop Oil reports Emily Brocklebank, 24, a psychology Student from Leeds, Benjamin Buse, 37, a research associate from Somerset, David Crawford, 69, a retired engineer from Dorking,  Gwen Harrison, 45 a climate change consultant from Kendal, Di Hekt, Dr David ‘Bing’ Jones, 70 a retired doctor from Sheffield, Father Martin Newell, 55, a Catholic Priest from Haringey, Theresa Norton, 64 a carer from Scarborough and Ben Taylor, 29, a gardener from Kilburnie were charged with causing a public nuisance for stopping traffic at the Port of Dover on 24th September 2021. The defendants had a 15-minute limit to explain their motives for taking the action.

UK company lobbies council on new gas field. The Irish Advertiser reports that Europa Oil & Gas lobbied a strategy policy group in Mayo County Council in support of its plans to drill an offshore gas field 1kkm from the Bellanaboy Corrib terminal.

Thursday 1 June 2023

Date set for Balcombe V Gove. DrillOrDrop report on date for statutory review of government approval of oil well testing in the West Sussex village.

Health alert system aims to cut heatwave deaths. BBC News reports a new alert system will warn the public when high temperatures could damage their health this summer in England.

Exxon bets new fracking methods can double oil from shale wells. Bloomberg Law reports Exxon Mobil is betting that a better way to frack will double the amount of oil it can pump from shale fields.