R(Oceana) v. Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

Between October 2023 and May 2024, over 82 licenses for exploratory oil and gas drilling operations were approved by the North Sea Transition Authority and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Subsequently, the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) published Appropriate Assessments, justifying the licensing with minimal environmental damage. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Natural England responded to the licensing agreement by highlighting the risks to Marine Protected Areas posed by accidental spills. In late May 2024, the Ocean Alliance Against Offshore Drilling (OCEANA) filed a complaint with the High Court of the United Kingdom to determine the lawfulness of the environmental assessments. The claims consist of the following: - Failure to consider the impact of accidents, which is contrary to the requirements of the Habitats regime and contrary to the duty to take reasonable steps to obtain the relevant information to reach a rational decision. - Failure to consider the ongoing impact of climate change on the relevant marine sites and environment. - A flawed assumption that only 50% of the licensed drilling will take place. - Failure to adequately assess the cumulative impacts of the licensed activity on the relevant sites. - Failure to consider or pay due regard to the advice of the JNCC. On March 26, 2025, the High Court held hearings with an expected decision by July 2025.