Keep up to date with November 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

Thursday 30 November 2023

COP28 kicks off with climate disaster fund victory. Reuters reports on the early victory at COP28 when delegates adopted a new fund to help poor nations cope with climate disasters. The UAE pledged $100m, Britain $51, US $17.5m and Japan $10m. Later the EU pledged $243.39m, which included $100m from Germany.

COP28 president denies using summit for oil deals. BBC News reports the president of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai has denied that his country is using the meeting to make oil and gas deals.

We have to balance outrage with optimism, says UN’s former climate chief. The Guardian reports comments by Christiana Figueres that she has lost faith in oil companies.

Regulator warned ministers over “unnecessary shift to annual licensing rounds. ENDS Reports says the North Sea Transition Authority warned  ministers that a decision to legislate to allow annual oil and gas licensing rounds was ‘not necessary’ and would ‘significantly challenge’ the regulator’s independence. Also in the FT

Labour vows to ‘rewire Britain’ as pylon plans spark row in Tory party. The Guardian reports Labour aims to tackle rural connection delays to the grid while Conservatives call for offshore network to preserve landscapes.

Tuesday 28 November 2023

Egdon reveals plans for 10-15 years of gas production at Wressle oilfield. DrillOrDrop report on details released at public consultation event for plans at Wressle in North Lincolnshire.

Monday 27 November 2023

Call to remove CEO and COO at Europa. DrillOrDrop update on Europa announcement of an attempt to call a general meeting to consider resolutions to remove the company’s chief executive, William Holland, and chief operating officer, Alastair Stuart, from the board of directors.

COP28: UAE planned to use climate talks to make oil deals. BBC News reports that the United Arab Emirates planned to use its role as the host of the UN climate talks as an opportunity to strike oil and gas deals with 15 countries, according to leaked briefing documents.

Sunday 26 November 2023

British empire’s past emissions ‘double UK’s climate responsibility’. The Guardian reports on analysis that the UK is responsible for almost twice as much global heating as previously thought when its colonial history is taken into account.

Saturday 25 November 2023

Energy minister says hydrogen will “not play a major role” in heating UK homes. Sky News reports comments by Lord Callanan to The Climate Show with Tom Heap that “there’s no way that [a major role for hydrogen in UK home heating] could be practically achieved,”

Friday 24 November 2023

“Misson shale gas well due to be decommissioned within next week”, says council. DrillOrDrop report on progress to decommission the Springs Road well in Nottinghamshire and restore the site.

Shareholders challenge oil directors. DrillOrDrop report on shareholder influence at Europa Oil & Gas and Reabold Resources.

Large-scale carbon capture an ‘illusion’ for oil and gas companies. Energy Voice reports comments by the International Energy Agency, which said that oil and gas companies must let go of the illusion of “implausibly large” carbon capture solutions, reduce their fossil fuel production and invest more in clean energy to align with international climate coals.

Climate Camp Scotland blasts Petroineos for ‘sudden closure’ of Grangemouth refinery. The Falkirk Herald reports reaction from Climate Camp Scotland that Ineos should provide a “just transition” for workers and the town of Grangemouth, instead of a “sudden closure”.

Sunak Will Pledge UK Support for New Climate Damage Fund at COP28. Bloomberg reports that the UK prime minister is set to support a new fund at the global climate talks to help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of rising temperatures.

UK faces ‘difficult’ conversations with voters about green transition, energy chief Claire Coutinho says. Politico reports comments by the energy secretary, Claire Coutinho that the government faces “difficult” conversations with local communities about hosting grid infrastructure needed for the UK’s green energy transition.

Wednesday 22 November 2023

Autumn statement sets out tax plans for oil and gas. DrillOrDrop report on arrangements for the end of the windfall tax on industry profits.

Government seeks to fast-track planning decisions and increase acceptance of pylons. DrillOrDrop report on planning announcements in the government’s autumn statement.

Grangemouth oil refinery to shut down, raising concern for 500 jobs. The Guardian (and others) report that the Grangemouth oil refinery is to cease operations as soon as 2025 under plans announced by its owner, Petroineos, a joint venture between the Chinese state-owned oil firm and the petrochemicals empire owned by Monaco-based British billionaire Sir James Ratcliffe.

Just Stop Oil supporters arrested for stepping on the road as 612 arrested across four weeks. Just Stop Oil reports a group of about 14 people began marching in central London calling for an immediate halt in all future oil and gas licences. All 14 were arrested within 30 seconds of stepping on the road, the organisation said.

Tuesday 21 November 2023

Perforating guns arrive for UKOG Pinarova-1 well test. UKOG announces that 7 inch guns, capable of perforating the Pinarova-1 well casing, arrived in Turkey last week. Following preparations, the guns will be transported to the site, where testing will resume.

Here’s how many fossil fuel lobbyists have attended US climate talks. The Washington Post reports on research which found that fossil fuel representatives have attended UN climate talks at least 7,200 times in the past 20 years.

The jet set: 200 celebrities’ aircraft have flown for combined total of 11 years since 2022. The Guardian reports that private jets belonging to 200 celebrities, CEOs, oligarchs and billionaires have spent a combined total of 11 years in the air since the start of 2022. The carbon footprint of all those flights – a jaw-dropping 44,739 journeys – would be the equivalent of the total emissions of almost 40,000 Britons.

Monday 20 November 2023

Richest 1% account for more carbon emissions than poorest 66%, report says. The Guardian reports on a study by Oxfam, which finds that the “polluter elite” is plundering the planet to the point of destruction. The report finds that the richest 1% of humanity is responsible for more carbon emissions than the poorest 66%, with dire consequences for vulnerable communities and global efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

Revealed: the huge climate impact of the middle classes. The Guardian also reports that the richest 10% in many countries cause up to 40 times more climate-hearing carbon emissions than the poorest 10% of their fellow citizens. Transport, especially car use, is a major factor in the high emissions of the richest 10%, the report finds.

Climate on track to warm by nearly 3C without aggressive actions, UN report finds. Reuters reports on the annual Emissions Gap report, which assesses countries’ promises to tackle climate change compared with what is needed. The 2023 report finds the world faces between 2.5C (4.5F) and 2.9C (5.2F) of warming above preindustrial levels if governments do not boost climate action. Carbon Brief also reports on the findings.

Just Stop Oil protesters’ jail terms potentially breach international law, UN expert says. The Guardian reports that long sentences handed to two Just Stop Oil protesters for scaling the M25 bridge over the Thames are a potential breach of international law and risk silencing public concerns about the environment, according to Ian Fry, the UN’s rapporteur for climate change and human rights.

Friday 17 November 2023

World ‘badly off track’ to meet carbon emissions targets, minister warns. The Independent reports a warning by energy minister, Graham Stuart, who told MPs the world is “badly off track” to meet carbon emission targets. He said the UK will make it a priority at Cop28 to maintain the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees

Thursday 16 November 2023

Warming of 2C would trigger ‘catastrophic’ loss of world’s ice, new report says. CarbonBrief reports on a new study by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative, which found that global warming of 2C would see “extensive, long-term and essentially irreversible” losses from ice sheets and glaciers.

Starmer says £2.5bn renewables jobs fund will help North Sea oil workers. The Guardian reports that Keir Starmer  has challenged the oil industry to dramatically speed up its shift to clean energy by offering up to £2.5bn to subsidise new jobs in renewables for North Sea workers.

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Flood protection plans for English homes cut by 40%. The Guardian reports on a National Audit Office study which finds the number of properties that will be better protected from flooding by 2027 has been cut by 40%, and 500 of 2,000 new flood defence projects have been abandoned.

Greta Thunberg pleads not guilty to breaching public order at UK protest. The Guardian reports the Swedish climate campaigner has pleaded not guilty to breaching a public order act after blocking the entrance to a hotel hosting a conference described by activists as the “Oscars of oil”.

Tuesday 14 November 2023

Alarm raised over water firm job of new environment secretary’s wife. The Guardian reports that the new environment secretary is married to an executive at Anglian Water, which is under investigation for potential illegal dumping of raw sewage.

World behind on almost every policy required to cut carbon emissions, research finds. The Guardian reports on the State of Climate Action 2023 report which concludes that coal must be phased out seven times faster than is now happening, deforestation must be reduced four times faster, and public transport around the world built out six times faster than at present, if the world is to avoid the worst impacts of climate breakdown.

U.S. and China Agree to Displace Fossil Fuels by Ramping Up Renewables. The New York Times reports that a climate agreement between the two countries is seen as a bright spot as President Biden prepares to meet President Xi Jinping.

Global emissions set to fall only 2% by 2030 – UN report. Reuters reports Governments are making insufficient progress in slashing greenhouse gas emissions to avert the worst impacts of global warming, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday.

Climate change report: Heat-related deaths on track to rise 370% by mid-century. Axios reports on a study by Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change which concludes that climate change is set to cause a 4.7 fold surge in heat-related deaths by mid-century if government inaction on global warming continues.

US, UK Lead Pledge to Triple Nuclear Power by 2050 at COP28. Bloomberg reports the US will lead a push at the COP28 climate summit to triple the amount of installed nuclear power capacity globally by 2050, marking a major turnaround for the controversial technology at the climate negotiations.

Global emissions set to fall only 2% by 2030 – UN report. Reuters reports on a UN study which finds governments are making insufficient progress in slashing greenhouse gas emissions to avert the worst impacts of climate change.

Climate change report: Heat-related deaths on track to rise 370% by mid-century. The annual Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change  finds that climate change is set to cause a 4.7-fold surge in heat-related deaths by mid-century if government in action on global warming continues, Axios reports.

Monday 13 November 2023

Steve Barclay appointed environment secretary. The government announces that the former health secretary has been moved to DEFRA in Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle.

National Portrait Gallery criticised over choice of sponsor to replace BP. The Guardian reports climate campaigners have accused the National Portrait Gallery of “jumping out of the reputational frying pan straight into the reputational fire” after it announced its replacement sponsor for BP is a law firm that has represented the fossil fuel industry, including Chevron, China National Petroleum Corporation and BP.

Friday 10 November 2023

Venting data revised down at UK onshore oil site. DrillOrDrop report on changes to data on methane releases at the Kimmeridge oil site.

Top consultancy undermining climate change fight: whistleblowers. AFP reports the world’s top management consultancy McKinsey & Company is using its position as a key advisor to the UN’s COP28 climate talks to push the interests of its big oil and gas clients, undermining efforts to end the use of the fossil fuels driving global warming, according to multiple sources and leaked documents.

Extinction Rebellion occupies Telegraph newspaper office. Extinction Rebellion reports eight of its activists occupied offices of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph newspapers to protest about what it said was a lies and disinformation campaign aimed at stopping urgent action on the climate crisis.

Thursday 9 November 2023

Small-scale fracks planned for proposed new production wells at Egdon’s Wressle oil site in North Lincolnshire. DrillOrDrop report on Egdon’s plans for proppant squeeze at two proposed wells at Wressle.

Shell sues Greenpeace for $2.1m+ after boarding oil vessel. Reuters reports on comments by Greenpeace and a legal document which confirms Shell is suing Greenpeace for $2.1m in damages after activists boarded an oil production vessel in transit near the Canary Islands this year. Greenpeace said it was one of the biggest legal threats against its ability to campaign in its 50+-year history.

Former energy minister refuses to back King’s Speech over oil and gas plans. CityAm reports that Chris Skidmore, the government’s review of net zero, has said he cannot support the King’s Speech over plans for new oil and gas licensing.

UK prepares to hike windfarm prices as developers struggle. Bloomberg reports the UK government is preparing to offer significantly higher subsidies for new offshore windfarms to get the country’s clean-power strategy back on track after developers shunned a previous auction.

Reforms needed to speed up renewable energy rollout – National Grid boss. PA reports comments by the head of National Grid who has again called for reforms to cut delays that threaten the rollout of renewable energy across the UK.

Four Insulate Britain supporters found guilty at Hove Crown Court. Just Stop Oil reports that three were found guilty of causing a nuisance after they blocked the M25 at junction 1A on 15 September 2021. A fourth person pleaded guilty and was given 120 hours community service, and ordered to pay court costs of £575.40. 

Wednesday 8 November 2023

Government promises “stringent” CO2 tests as it unveils new UK oil and gas licensing bill. Business Green reports the government has officially introduced controversial legislation to Parliament that would require new North Sea oil and gas drilling licenses to be handed out on an annual basis, while stressing that these licensing rounds would be subject to “stringent new emissions and imports tests”.

“Virtually certain” that 2023 will be warmest year after October record. BBC News reports extreme autumn sets up 2023 to break records.

Fossil fuel interests have large, yet often murky, presence at climate talks, AP analysis finds. AP reports nearly 400 people connected to fossil fuel industries attended last year’s COP climate conference in Egypt last year. The group was larger than all but two of the national delegations sent by countries.

Production resumes at Wressle. Union Jack Oil reports that production at the Wressle well in North Lincolnshire is back in production following installation of a downhole jet pump and associated surface facilities.

Tuesday 7 November 2023

Reaction to plans for annual North Sea oil and gas licensing rounds, announced, as expected, in the King’s Speech. DrillOrDrop report

Top Tory Think Tank’s North Sea Oil and Gas ‘Vested Interests’. DeSmog reports on how board members of the Conservative-linked Centre of Policy Studies have been pushing for further North Sea oil and gas drilling while several of its board members hold financial interests in the industry.

Monday 6 November 2023

Shock and anger at Biscathorpe oil production decision. DrillOrDrop report on reaction to the decision by a planning inspector to allow 15 years of oil production in the Lincolnshire Wolds area of outstanding natural beauty.

Biscathorpe reaction from Union Jack Oil. Union Jack, which has a 45% stake in the Biscathorpe project in Lincolnshire, has welcomed the decision by an inspector to award planning permission. See DrillOrDrop report . Round-up to reaction coming soon.

Annual oil and gas licences planned with net zero commitment required. BBC News reports on government plans, to be announced in the King’s Speech on Tuesday 7 November, for annual licence awards for oil and gas projects in the North Sea.

Saturday 4 November 2023

“Fat cat” oil and gas companies feature in two effigies at Lewes bonfire. Oil and gas companies are depicted as fat cats in two giant models displayed and then blown up at Lewes bonfire this evening. The models, built by two of the town’s seven bonfire societies, show the cats, surrounded by money, with their claws in the earth which is on fire. One of the models also features the prime minister, Rishi Sunak.

Friday 3 November 2023

Breaking: Inspector rules national for oil justifies production in Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. DrillOrDrop reports a planning inspector has allowed long-term oil production at Biscathorpe in the Lincolnshire Wolds, even though he admitted it would harm the landscape and beauty of the area.

Balcombe seeks to appeal court judgement on oil test. DrillOrDrop reports that villagers are seeking to overturn a judge’s ruling which gave the go-ahead to a well test at the Balcombe oil site in West Sussex.

UN to seek assurances UK will not renege on net zero pledge. The Guardian reports the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, will be seeking assurances from the UK that there will be no reneging on climate promises, after Rishi Sunak’s rowing back on green measures. The paper says the UN is concerned that countries may be backsliding on pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions sharply, to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

Thursday 2 November 2023

New Report Issues Damning Verdict on Food’s Fossil Fuel Addiction. DeSmog reports on research which shows that oil companies are investing heavily in petrochemicals for use in pesticides, fertilisers and plastic packaging.

Extreme weather makes climate adaptation gap more urgent – UN. Bloomberg reports on a new analysis by the UN Environment Programme which concluded that global finance for climate adaptation measures around the glob is so minimal that doubling its current rate would reduce the sum of what’s needed by only 5-10%.

Wednesday 1 November 2023

UK onshore oil and gas production in charts – August 2023. DrillOrDrop reports that onshore oil and gas production fell in August 2023, with a drop in extraction at the leading sites at Wytch Farm, Wressle and Saltfleetby.

Gail Bradbrook, extinction rebellion co-founder found guilty of breaking a window at the Department of Transport. Extinction Rebellion reports Dr Bradbrook will be sentenced on 18 December 2023. The jury took less than an hour to reach its verdict. The judge told jurors that Dr Bradbrook had no defence in law and that her motivation was irrelevant.

Claimants take UK government to court over inadequate climate adaptation. The Guardian reports on two people who are bringing a legal challenge against the government. They argue that the latest climate change national adaptation programme, published in July 2023, is inadequate. They say it breaches the Climate Change Act by failing to set out lawful “adaptation objectives” and by failing to consider and publish an assessment of the risks to delivery of the plans and policies included.

King Charles to give opening address at Cop28 climate summit. The Guardian reports King Charles will attend the opening ceremony of the COP28 climate summit in the UAE, one year after he was advised by Liz Truss’s government not to attend the COP27 summit in Egypt.

Pope Francis to Attend COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai. The Wall Street Journal reports the pope will attend the UN climate conference in December. The paper says he has made environmental protection a signature issue of his reign.

In 2023 we’ve seen climate destruction in real time, yet rich countries are poised to do little at Cop28. In an opinion piece in the Guardian, published after his death, Professor Saleemul Huq says pressure must be maintained on the biggest emitters in the run-up to COP28.

Global heating is accelerating, warns scientist who sounded climate alarm in the 80s. The Guardian reports on new research, led by James Hansen, the US scientist who first alerted the world to the greenhouse effect. It concludes global heating is accelerating faster than is currently understood and will result in a key temperature threshold being breached as soon as this decade.