Keep up to date with October 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

Tuesday 31 October 2023

Ulez expansion: 45% fewer ‘dirty’ vehicles now on London’s roads, says TfL. The Guardian reports the  number of the most polluting vehicles driven in London has fallen by almost half since the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) was expanded, taking almost 80,000 older cars off the roads.

Banks pumped more than $150bn in to companies running ‘carbon bomb’ projects in 2022. The Guardian reports banks pumped more than $150bn last year into companies whose giant “carbon bomb” projects could destroy the last chance of stopping the planet heating to dangerous levels. The carbon bombs – 425 extraction projects – cumulatively hold enough coal, oil and gas to burn through the dwindling carbon budget.

BP posts profits of $3.3bn as oil prices rise again. BBC News and others reported that BP had lower than expected third quarter profits despite global oil prices rising again. Friends of the Earth said millions of people were still struggling to heat their homes this winter.

Monday 30 October 2023

What’s happened to onshore production since 2018. DrillOrDrop reviews UK onshore oil and gas production over the past five years and finds almost a fifth of fields have extracted no fossil fuels in that time.

UK regulator awards 27 oil, gas exploration licenses. Reuters reports that the North Sea Transition Authority awarded 27 new hydrocarbon exploration licences in the North Sea, even as climate activists criticised the government for allowing fresh drilling. NSTA press release

Announcement of 27 new oil and gas licences is ‘wrong move’ – Yousaf. The Independent reports an offshore energy trade body has welcomed the announcement of 27 new oil and gas licences as a “boost for UK energy security” but Scotland’s First Minister has said it is the “wrong move”.

Met uses new anti-protest powers to arrest climate protesters for first time. The Guardian reports that police have arrested more than 60 climate activists taking part in a slow march outside parliament in the first use of draconian new anti-protest powers.

Jury acquits Extinction Rebellion for Treasury fire engine action and crown drops remaining trials after judge suggests “not in public interest”. Extinction Rebellion reports that five defendants were was acquitted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court on charges of conspiracy to committee criminal damage to the Treasury. The Crown Prosecution Service has dropped the trial of another defendant, the re trial of the sixth defendant and prosecutions against two further people.

Trial begins of Extinction Rebellion co-founder. Extinction Rebellion reports that Dr Gail Bradbrook is standing trial at Isleworth Crown Court accused of breaking a window at the Department of Transport in October 2019.

Crown Court trial begins of nine XR women. Extinction Rebellion reports that nine women members of the organisation are due to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court charged with causing over half a million pounds in criminal damage at the HSBC headquarters at Canary Wharf in April 2021.

Saturday 28 October 2023

Rishi Sunak to ‘double down’ on anti-green policies in king’s speech. The Observer reports Rishi Sunak’s government will use next week’s king’s speech to advance expansion of North Sea oil and gas exploration, as well as pro-car policies, in the hope of opening up a clear divide over the green agenda with Labour

Friday 27 October 2023

Wressle oil earns Europa £5.3m – annual accounts. DrillOrDrop reports on Europa Oil & Gas annual accounts.

Thursday 26 October 2023

Government refuses to disclose impact of policy change on carbon emissions. DrillOrDrop report on the rejection of a request by the energy secretary to set out calculations on how recent changes to transport and home heating policies will affect UK emissions targets.

Global CO2 emissions could peak as soon as 2023, IEA data reveals. Carbon Brief reports on the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2023 which expects CO2 emissions to peak in the mid 2020s and possibly as early as this year.

Why all fossil fuels must decline rapidly to stay below 1.5C. Carbon Brief includes a guest post from the authors of a new study, published in Nature Communications. It found that across all IPCC scenarios global coal, oil and gas supply must decline by an average of 95%, 62% and 42% respectively from 2020 to 2025 to limit long-term warming to 1.5C with no or limited overshoot.

Wednesday 25 October 2023

The Guardian view on Rishi Sunak’s year in No 10: superficial change has not persuaded the public. The Guardian editorial argues that the prime minister had the chance to repudiate the worst mistakes of his predecessors but lacked the courage and conviction.

Tuesday 24 October 2023

Revealed: The Oil and Gas Lobbying Campaign to Water Down Windfall Tax. DeSmog reports industry figures held more than  200 meetings with key politicians in the year following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

UK should commit to phasing out fossil fuels, says Danish climate minister. The Independent reports comments by a Danish climate minister to a group of UK MPs that the UK should join a growing group of countries that have committed to phasing out production of fossil fuels, ahead of the UN climate conference Cop28 in Dubai.

Monday 23 October 2023

UK council pension funds invested £16bn in fossil fuels – new estimate. DrillOrDrop reports on new analysis which estimates UK local authority pension funds hold £16bn in fossil fuels investments.

UK ‘adds’ £450m to its climate-finance spending by changing definition. Carbon Brief reports the UK has “added” around £450m to its climate-aid spending in developing countries by changing how it defines “climate finance”.

Sunday 22 October 2023

Net zero scepticism struggles to gain traction as a cut-through political cause. Jeremy Warner, writing in the Telegraph, says Uxbridge apart, Tory attempts to win votes out of a climate change backlash isn’t paying off.

Saturday 21 October 2023

Ikea and BT among 130 companies to push COP28 for a timeline to ditch fossil fuels. The FT reports Ikea, Volvo Cars, eBay, Heineken, Godrej Industries and more than 130 other businesses have urged world leaders to agree a timeline to ditch fossil fuels when countries meet for the UN climate summit in Dubai.

Global ‘loss and damage’ climate talks end in failure ahead of COP28. AFP reports a crucial meeting on climate “loss and damages” ahead of COP28 ended in failure on Saturday, with countries from the global north and south unable to reach an agreement, 

Friday 20 October 2023

Plans for two new wells confirmed for Wressle oil site. DrillOrDrop

Sunak told Tamworth and Mid Beds results expose “serious mistake” of net zero pivot. Politics.co.uk reports the by-election loss for the Conservatives show show Sunak’s net zero pivot and conference speech have had no impact on his party’s prospects.

Wednesday 18 October 2023

Balcombe villagers criticise oil firm over “incorrect fracking statement”. DrillOrDrop report on accusations that Angus Energy statement “misrepresented history” in a comment about fracking.

“Wressle workover successful” – partner. DrillOrDrop report on statement on boost production at the UK’s newest onshore producing oilfield.

Greta Thunberg charged following Fossil Free London protest. BBC News reports the climate campaigner has been charged with a public order offence, accused of breaching a Section 14 order outside the InterContinental Hotel on Tuesday. 26 protesters have been charged, the police said.

Protesters occupy City Of London insurers’ offices demanding they reject climate-wrecking projects in UK and Africa. Extinction Rebellion reports that hundreds of protesters occupied offices of ten leading London insurance companies calling on them not to insure the proposed West Cumbria coal mine and the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland and No Gas Caverns to appeal Larne Lough court ruling. Friends of the Earth reports that its Northern Ireland organisation and No Gas Caverns are taking their battle against plans for gas caverns under the seabed at Larne Lough to the Court of Appeal. The move follows a High Court ruling in August.

COP 28 agenda to focus on emissions cuts pre-2030, and money. Axios reports on the agenda for the upcoming UN climate talks in Dubai.

Tuesday 17 October 2023

Greta Thunberg arrested after joining hundreds of climate protesters in London. The Guardian and others report that the climate activist, Greta Thunberg, was arrested in London after joining hundreds of protesters outside the five star InterContinental Park Lane, which was hosting the Energy Intelligence Forum, which brings together oil and gas industry executives, politicians and officials. The Metropolitan Police said five people were arrested.

Angus Energy welcomes Balcombe ruling. A statement from Angus Energy welcomes the court ruling refusing a legal challenge to the flow test at Balcombe.

Government has legal duty to disclose briefing documents used to approve controversial coal mine, say campaigners. ENDS Report says the government is to be urged in a legal hearing to disclose briefing documents that departmental officials gave to levelling up secretary Michael Gove before he approved plans for the controversial Cumbrian coal mine.

Angus Energy publishes updated report on Saltfleetby. Angus Energy issued a statement to shareholders on an updated competent person’s report on its Saltfleetby gas field in Lincolnshire.

Friday 13 October 2023

Balcombe oil test challenge refused. DrillOrDrop reports that Balcombe residents have failed in their legal challenge against testing at the oil site in their village.

Wells report reveals significant growth opportunities which must be grasped. The North Sea Transition Authority says a disappointing total of 48 development wells were drilled and 12 exploration and appraisal wells completed in 2022, according to its Wells Insight Report. The regulator says it has a baseline ambition of 60 development wells drilled per year to help slow the ongoing decline in production and assist in securing a greater proportion of domestically-produced hydrocarbons.

Thursday 12 October 2023

Emissions targets harder to reach after PM rollback on fossil fuel cars and boilers – CCC. DrillOrDrop reports that the government’s climate advisor has warned that Rishi Sunak’s delay to decarbonisation of buildings and vehicles will make it harder for the UK to meets its emissions targets. Also reported by BBC News and others.

‘Deeply Troubling’ Lack of UK North Sea Oil and Gas Monitoring. DeSmog reports findings from an FOI request which shows that fossil fuel giants are largely left to submit their own extraction and emissions data.

Human rights experts warn against European crackdown on climate protesters. The Guardian reports that human rights experts and campaigners have warned against an intensifying crackdown on climate protests across Europe.

Angus Energy announces board change. A statement from says Andrew Hollis has formally stepped down from the board and the position of technical director.

US: ExxonMobil captures shale group Pioneer Resources. The Times reports that ExxonMobil has agreed a $60n takeover of Pioneer Natural resources, more than doubling its position in America’s fracking heartland.

Just Stop Oil students continue campaign of resistance calling on university students and staff to March in London. Just Stop Oil says its campaign has spread to universities of Leeds, Manchester and Cambridge.

Wednesday 11 October 2023

Just Stop Oil students paint five University buildings calling on students and staff to March in London. Just Stop Oil reports that five supporters have painted buildings at University College London and the universities of Birmingham, Sussex, Falmouth and Exeter.

Extinction Rebellion and indigenous leaders disrupt Shell’s new media agency. Extinction Rebellion reports a mass die-in action by climate activists outside Shell’s new media agency, Havas. Activists say that Havas’ status as a B Corp (a certification said to signal operation in the best interests of the environment) is at odds with its new role with Shell.

Exxon’s Pioneer Shale Play. The Wall Street Journal opinion column argues that ExxonMobil’s $59.5bn acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources is a “bet on US shale fracking and hedge against the left’s anti-fossil fuels policies”.

Analysis: How the UK has fallen 40% behind on its £11.6bn climate-finance pledge. CarbonBrief analysis reveals that the UK has allen nearly 40% behind on its pledge to rapidly scale up climate finance for developing countries.

Tuesday 10 October 2023

Keir Starmer promises Labour would ‘speed ahead’ with green investment plans. Business Green reports the Labour leader has hit back at the government’s decision to roll back key decarbonisation policies, as he places green investment and planning reform at the heart of his pitch to the country.

The Guardian view on Sir Keir Starmer’s speech: rightly questioned 13 years of decline. The Guardian editorial argues that the Labour leader is tightening his grip on the party so that he can make his distinctive pitch to voters without internal dissent.

Just Stop Oil students paint Exeter and Oxford University in resistance to new oil and gas. Just Stop Oil reports that three student supporters painted buildings at Oxford and Exeter universities in protest at UK government plans to licence new oil and gas projects.

Monday 9 October 2023

Labour vows to reinstate 2030 new petrol car sales ban. The FT reports Labour will reinstate the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars within months if it wins the next general election and set targets for local authorities to roll out EV charging points.

Just Stop Oil students begin wave of action calling on students and faculty staff to join in civil resistance. Just Stop Oil reports that a supporter as used a fire extinguisher to spray orange paint across a University of Bristol building. He was urging students and staff to join a Just Stop Oil march in London next month.

Sunday 8 October 2023

Labour will vow to ‘hardwire’ net zero policies into the planning system. The Telegraph reports the shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will use her party conference speech to unveil new moves to boost home-building.

Failure to harness fracking is a scandal of epic proportions. Matthew Lynn, in a comment section of the Telegraph, reacts to the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources by ExxonMobil for almost $60bn.

Saturday 7 October 2023

World breaches key 1.5C warming mark for record number of days. BBC News analysis has shown that the world is breaching a key warming threshold at a rate that has concerned scientists. On a third of days in 2023, the average global temperature was at least 1.5C higher than pre-industrial levels.

Friday 6 October 2023

Just one in four red wall voters backs Labour plan to reinstate 2030 petrol car ban. The Telegraph reports twice as many people in seats across the North and Midlands back Rishi Sunak’s pledge to delay the policy by five years.

Green energy magnate to switch support from Just Stop Oil to Labour. The Guardian reports Dale Vine has said he will stop funding direct action groups, such as Just Stop Oil, and concentrate efforts on getting the Conservatives voted out of government at the next election.

Exxon in advanced talks for $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer, sources say. Reuters reports ExxonMobil is in advanced talks to acquire the fracking company, Pioneer Natural Resources.

Thursday 5 October 2023

‘Gobsmackingly bananas’: scientists stunned by planet’s record September heat. The Guardian reports global temperatures soared to a new record in September by a huge margin, stunning scientists and leading one to describe it as “absolutely gobsmackingly bananas”.

Sunak made a mistake with net zero changes, says Mark Carney. The Telegraph reports comments by the former Bank of England governor that the prime minister made mistakes by watering down net zero commitments.

Just Stop Oil: Five charged after protesters disrupt Les Miserables. BBC News reports five Just Stop Oil protestors have been charged with aggravated trespass after a performance on Wednesday night of Les Miserables in London’s West End was halted.

Wednesday 4 October 2023

Just Stop Oil supporters disrupt performance of Les Miserables. Just Stop Oil reports five campaigners disrupted a London performance of Les Miserables, during the performance of Do You Hear The People Sing, locking themselves to the set using bicycle locks. The performance was halted and the theatre cleared by 9.10pm.

Star Energy granted two Croatian licences. Star Energy announces its Croatian subsidiary has been issued with two geothermal licences by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.

Chris Packham to challenge Rishi Sunak over net zero policy delays. BBC News reports naturalist Chris Packham has outlined plans to legally challenge changes to net zero policy commitments announced last month by the prime minister.

World’s electricity supply close to ‘peak emissions’ due to growth of wind and solar. CarbonBrief reports on a review by Ember which concluded that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the global power sector grew just 0.2% in the first six months of 2023, with rapidly rising wind and solar outpacing sluggish demand growth. 

Pope Francis lambasts climate change skeptics and ‘irresponsible’ Western lifestyles. CNN reports Pope Francis has made his strongest statement yet on the accelerating climate crisis, pinning blame on big industries and world leaders as well as “irresponsible” Western lifestyles.

UK universities take £40m in fossil fuel funding since 2022. The Guardian reports on findings by DeSmog that major fossil fuel companies have committed tens of millions of pounds in funding to UK universities since 2022, despite many of these institutions having actively pledged to divest from oil and gas.

UK could take financial hit with net zero climb down. Capital Monitor reports the prime minister’s policy reversal on climate commitments has raised concerns across industries.

COP28 chief urges energy groups to prepare for fossil fuel ‘phase down’. The FT reports Sultan al-Jaber, president-designate for the UK climate summit, said the oil and gas industry must prepare for an inevitable “phase down” of fossil fuels as he warned the sector should not be seen to work against decarbonisation efforts.

Tuesday 3 October 2023

UK onshore oil and gas production in charts – July 2023. DrillOrDrop round up of the latest monthly onshore production figures. including record recent extraction at Angus Energy’s Saltfleetby site in Lincolnshire.

Depressed and branded ‘zealots’: Tory conference attacks on net zero alarm green-leaning MPs. The Guardian reports green politics is under attack at the Conservative Party Conference.

‘Absolutely perverse’: climate scheme could reward Australian coalmines whose emissions rise. The Guardian reports that ten coalmines in Australia could increase their greenhouse gas pollution until 2030 while being financially rewarded by the government’s climate policy intended to cut industrial emissions.

Monday 2 October 2023

Business chiefs who criticised Labour in 2015 turn on Sunak after green U-turn. The Guardian reports that business leaders who warned against Ed Miliband in 2015 have now turned on Rishi Sunak, criticising his plans to roll back net zero policies.

‘We are going to do things differently’: Claire Coutinho rails against net zero ‘religion’. Business Green reports on the Conservative Conference speech by the energy security and net zero secretary, who called for an “ambitious, innovative and pragmatic” approach to meeting UK climate goals.

Net zero isn’t act of economic harm, Theresa May says. BBC News reports comments by the former prime minister that  the UK’s net zero target should be seen as “the growth opportunity of the century”, not an “act of economic harm”.

Ex-Shell Tory MP defends oil and gas funding for hydrogen parliamentary group. DeSmog reports that Adrdlexander Stafford, chair of the APPG on hydrogen, defended the group’s receipt of £70,000 in funding from fossil fuel companies, including Shell and Equuinor.

Report claiming net zero will cost UK trillions retracted due to ‘factual errors’. The Guardian reports that the rightwing  thinktank Civitas mistakenly cost onshore wind power 10,000 times higher than reality and claimed bill would be £4.5tn.

Sunday 1 October 2023

Tory swing voters switch to Labour after Sunak’s green retreat, poll finds. The Guardian reports that almost nine in 10 voters who intended to switch their support from Conservative to Labour at the next general election believe that “green growth” is important for the future of Britain’s economy, according to a poll by Opinion.

Autumn heat continues in Europe after record-breaking September. The Guardian reports that Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland and Switzerland have all had their hottest summers on record and unseasonably high temperatures are set to continue into October.